Crofton, Robert Denis (Flight Lieutenant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-July-12

Flight Lieutenant Robert Denis Crofton RAF

Birth Date: 1907-March-01

Born: Paddington, City of Westminster, Greater London, England

Parents: Major R B Crofton, RAO(C), & Helena C Crofton

Spouse:

Home: Bath, Somerset, England (parents)

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RAF

Unit

45 Group (RAF)

Base

RCAF Stn. Dorval, Quebec

Rank

Flight Lieutenant

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

70149

Home

Bath, Somerset, England (parents)

RAF Ferry Command, overseas delivery flight.

Aircraft failed to reach destination during transatlantic ferry flight from Newfoundland to United Kingdom, 12 July 1942.

Killed includes Crofton: Sergeant Raymond Edgar Wylie RCAF R/114080 KIFA Ottawa Memorial Panel 1. Column 5. Sergeant Elton Duncan Brabender RAAF KIFA Runnymede Memorial Panel 112.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Crew or Other Personnel

Hudson FK413

Sergeant Elton Duncan Brabender RAAF

Sergeant Brabender, Elton Duncan (RAAF)
Wireless Operator
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-July-12
cemetery unknown

Flight Lieutenant Robert Denis Crofton RAF

Flight Lieutenant Crofton, Robert Denis (RAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-July-12
cemetery unknown

Sergeant Raymond Edgar Wylie RCAF

Sergeant Wylie, Raymond Edgar (RCAF)
2nd Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-July-12
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Mission

Hudson MK Vl FK413

Ferry Flight 1942-July-12 to 1942-July-12

45 (T) Group (RAF) Dorval, Quebec

45 Group, RAF Transport Command, Dorval, Quebec. Hudson VI aircraft FK 413 lost during a Trans-Atlantic ferry flight after departing Gander, Newfoundland, cause unknown

Sergeant RE Wylie (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RD Crofton (RAF) and Sergeant ED Brabender (RAAF) were all missing, presumed killed in this flying accident

The missing have no known grave. Sergeant Wylie is commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial. Flight Lieutenant Crofton and Sergeant Brabender are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

Ocean Bridge, The History of RAF Ferry Command by Carl A Christie, page 313

unvetted Source [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

Hudson serial: FK413

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons. National Air Force Museum of Canada.

YouTube Hudson