Firmin, Oliver (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-October-03

Male Head

Birth Date: 1921

Born:

Son of Oliver George and Ella Firmin, of Chigwell. Essex, England.

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RAFVR

Unit

35 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)

Base

North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada

Rank

Leading Aircraftman

Position

Leading Aircraftman

Service Numbers

1448083

Final Burial

North Battleford City Cemetery
Plan M Block 10 Grave 8

35 SFTS, North Battleford, Sask

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Crew or Other Personnel

Oxford AS263

Leading Aircraftman Oliver Firmin RAFVR

Leading Aircraftman Firmin, Oliver (RAFVR)

Killed in Flying Accident
1942-October-03
North Battleford City Cemetery, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada

Oxford serial: AS263

(Bob Brown Photo)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Airspeed A.S. 10 Oxford Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. AS277), 25, in flight over Saskatchewan, 1942.

The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery roles throughout the Second World War.

The Oxford was developed by Airspeed during the 1930s in response to a requirement for a capable trainer aircraft that conformed with Specification T.23/36, which had been issued by the British Air Ministry. Its basic design is derived from the company's earlier AS.6 Envoy, a commercial passenger aircraft. Performing its maiden flight on 19 June 1937, it was quickly put into production as part of a rapid expansion of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in anticipation of a large-scale conflict.

As a consequence of the outbreak of war, many thousands of Oxfords were ordered by Britain and its allies, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States. Following the end of the conflict, the Oxford continued to achieve export sales for some time, equipping the newly formed air forces of Egypt, India, Israel, and Yugoslavia. It was considered to be a capable trainer aircraft throughout the conflict, as well as being used a general-purpose type. A large number of Oxfords have been preserved on static display. Wikipedia

YouTube Oxford Trainer

Wikipedia Oxford Trainer

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Aircraft Images

Oxford AS263

Oxford Mk. II AS263

Taken on strength at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School at Fort William, Ontario. To No. 2 Training Command on 21 August 1941, for use by No. 35 Service Flying Training School at North Battleford, Saskatchewan. To No. 4 Training Command with this School on 10 November 1941. Winter conversion kit installed while at this School. Category A crash on 3 January 1942. Student pilot attempted go around from bounce at Brada relief field, but retracted flaps instead of undercarriage. Aircraft stalled and impacted ground. Leading Aircraftman O. Firman, RAF, killed. Application to write off dated 16 November 1942.

1941-08-07 Taken on Strength No. 2 Training Command 2019-08-20
1942-October-03 Accident: 35 Service Flying Training School Loc: Brada Relief Landing Ground Names: Firmin
1942-12-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Unit Desciption

35 SFTS (35 Service Flying Training School)

Graduates of the EFTS "learn-to-fly" program went on a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks the trainee was part of an intermediate training squadron; for the next 6 weeks an advanced training squadron and for the final 2 weeks training was conducted at a Bombing & Gunnery School. The Service schools were military establishments run by the RCAF or the RAF.

There were two different types of Service Flying Training Schools. Trainees in the fighter pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 14 Aylmer, where they trained in the North American Harvard or North American Yale. Trainees in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 5 Brantford where they learned multi-engine technique in an Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson or Cessna Crane.