Barham, Douglas Van der Biesen

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-03-13

Male Head

Birth Date: 1922

Born:

Son of Albert William and Elizabeth Maria Barham, of Staines, Middlesex, England

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RAFVR

Unit

32 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)

Base

RCAF Stn. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Rank

Leading Aircraftman

Position

Leading Aircraftman

Service Numbers

1814929

32 SFTS, Moose Jaw, Sask.Of the Netherlands.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Oxford Mk. I Serial: AR913

All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Airspeed Oxford

(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.
60f81560a49c57323928b13e_Airspeed-A-S-10-Oxford-Mk--II--RCAF--Serial-No--A5277----in-flight-over-Saskatchewan--1942---Bob-Brown.jpeg image not found

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 Wikipedia Oxford Trainer

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

32 SFTS (32 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.

For more Information on RCAF Station Moose Jaw see here

Canada Primary Source RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Moose Jaw SK

Canada Primary Source RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Buttress SK

Canada Primary Source RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Burdick SK

Canada Primary Source RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Caron SK

YouTube YouTube - Abandoned Saskatchewan

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy


Oxford AR913

Oxford Mk. I AR913

Taken on strength at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School at Fort William, Ontario. To No. 4 Training Command on 5 August 1941, for use by No. 34 Service Flying Training School at Medicine Hat, Alberta. Category C7 damage at Medicine Hat aerodrome at 17:15 on 3 February 1942, while being operated solo by student pilot. Winter conversion kit installed at No. 34 SFTS by 30 April 1942. To Aircraft Repair at Edmonton, Alberta for overhaul, 11 March to 10 July 1943. To No. 4 Training Command when completed. With No. 32 Service Flying Training School at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan when it suffered a Category A crash on 13 March 1944. At least one fatality. Request to scrap dated 24 March 1944.

1941-07-07 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-February-03 Accident: 34 Service Flying Training School Loc: Medicine Hat Aerodrome Names: Moore
1943-August-29 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Varkevisser
1944-March-13 Accident: 32 Service Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Van Der Biesen Van Barham Douglas
1944-05-10 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20