Operation: Training

Date: 05/06th September 1942 (Saturday/Sunday)

Unit: No. 5 Advanced Flying Unit. 21 Group

Type: Miles Master III

Serial: W8795

Code: -

Base: RAF Tern Hill, Shropshire. (Satellite airfield at Calveley)

Location: Brindley Common, Cheshire

Pilot: Sgt. Arthur Bradshaw 1023441 RAFVR Age 32. Killed

Pilot: Sgt. Euan William MacLaren NZ/415346 RNZAF Agr 20. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at about 00:40 hrs from the satellite station of Calveley for duel instruction in circuits and landings.

It is believed the aircraft suffered an engine failure before they crashed after striking a tree whilst attempting a forced landing on Brindley Common at 01:10 hrs.

There had already been two accidents in the area earlier that night.

Burial and personal details:

Sgt. Arthur Bradshaw. Stoke-Upon-Tern Church Cemetery. (St. Peter). Row H. Grave 251. Son of James and Lucy Bradshaw and husband of Joyce Catherine Bradshaw, of Handforth, Cheshire. Grave inscription: 'At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning We Will Remember Them'. Member of Wilmslow Rugby Union Football Club.

Sgt. Euan William MacLaren. Stoke-Upon-Tern Church Cemetery. (St. Peter). Row H. Grave 250. Born on the 24th October 1941 at Pukekohe, Auckland. (birth certificate states his name as 'Ewen'). Worked as a clerk for Hancock and Company (brewery) of Auckland prior to service. Served 6 months in territorial army. Enlisted in the RNZAF at Levin on the 28th September 1941. Initial training with No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School 09th November 1941. No. 3 Service Flying Training School 22nd December 1941.

Pilots badge awarded on the 10th February 1942 following that promoted to sergeant on the 28th March 1942. Embarked for England on the 13th April 1942. Attached to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre 18th May 1942. Joining 5 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit 23rd July 1942.

Son of Arthur Alfred (died 13th November 1953, age 70) and Helena Niven MacLaren (née Livingston - died 1986), of Auckland, New Zealand. 195 flying hours logged, 97 hours solo with 7 on these on the Master.

L-R: Rear; Edward Daniel Valentine Monds 414659, Gordon Burns Green 415410 - Died 29th September 201, Francis Lynford Gretton 415310 - Died 2nd October 2004, Leondard Bursell 76937 - Died 11th November 1989, F.B Wild.

Centre; Eric Steele Doherty 415290 - Died 19th June 1980, Desmond Xavier O'Halloran 415418 - Died 17th December 2008, T.H Harrison, Edward Wright Saywell 415372 - Killed 14th July 1943, Euan William MacLaren 415346 - Killed 06th September 1942.

Front; C.J.T Baker, G.H.L Shaw, D.G Guinness, G Allan.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Wilmslow RUFC, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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