McCarthy, Henry Joseph (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-December-10

Male Head

Birth Date: 1919-October-22

Born:

Parents: Jessie McCarthy, of Camberwell, London, England

Spouse:

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RAF

Unit

37 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)

Base

Rank

Leading Aircraftman

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

656512

Final Burial

Burnsland Cemetery
Lot 94 Block 7 Sec G

Country of service UK Confirmed CWGC From RAFC: Leading Aircraftman Henry Joseph McCARTHY (656512) 1941-12-10 Canada Killed Oxford AT457 Category A crash at 20:30 on 10 December 1941, while performing night solo circuits at Calgary. Leading Aircraftman H.J. McCarthy, RAF killed. Deteriorating weather was probably a factor.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Crew or Other Personnel

Oxford AT457

Leading Aircraftman Henry Joseph McCarthy RAF

Leading Aircraftman McCarthy, Henry Joseph (RAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1941-December-10
Burnsland Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Oxford serial: AT457

(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 AT457

Oxford Mk. I AT457

Used by No. 37 Service Flying Training School at Calgary, Alberta. Category A crash at 20:30 on 10 December 1941, while performing night solo circuits at Calgary. Leading Aircraftman H.J. McCarthy, RAF killed. Deteriorating weather was probably a factor.

1941-09-03 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-December-10 Accident: 37 Service Flying Training School Loc: Calgary Airport Names: McCarthy
1942-12-12 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Unit Desciption

37 SFTS (37 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.

Air Navigation Chart Calgary 1944

Noteable RAF Instructor pilots based at No. 37 SFTS during the war, was F/O Peter Middleton, the grandfather of Catherine Middleton who is now the Duchess of Cambridge and the wife of Prince William.

For More Information on RCAF Station Calgary see here

Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Calgary AB