Operation: Training

Date: 05th May 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 57 Operational Training Unit. 9 Group. Fighter Command

Type: Spitfire IIA

Serial: P7902

Code: -

Base: RAF Eshott, Northumberland

Location: Doddington Hill, near Wooler, Northumberland

Pilot: Sgt. Fergus Hulton NZ/416496 RNZAF Age 19. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

One of a formation of Spitfires which at 15:00 hrs. was ‘bounced’ by a number of Hurricanes from 59 OTU. In the mêlée that followed P7902 collided with Hurricane I AG111 flown by 26 year old Fl/Sgt. De Freitas AFM 1393818 RAFVR, both crashing near Wooler, 23 miles NW of Eshott.

P7902 crashed into a bog close to a dry stone wall at Doddington Hill, near Wooler. Both pilots died, the Hurricane crashing onto Horton Moor near Doddington.

Fl/Sgt. De Freitas AFM was awarded on the 2nd April, 1943, but we have not been able to find occasion.

Sgt. Fergus Hulton. Chevington Cemetery. Section H. Grave 237. Born on the 15th August 1923 at Rotorua. Worked as a clerk for Native Department, Rotorua prior to service. Enlisted at Levin on the 30th November 1941. Trained at No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School and No. 2 Service Flying Training School. Awarded pilots badge on the 15th June 1942 and promoted to sergeant on the 05th September 1942. Embarked for England on the 16th September 1942. Trained with various units before joining 57 Operational Training Unit on the 23rd April 1943. Son of Thomas Henry Hulton, and of Isabel Hineiterangi Hulton (nee Macpherson), of Rotorua, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 294 flying hours logged with 33 on the Spitfire.

Fl/Sgt. Henry Anselm De Freitas AFM. Perth Cemetery (Jeanfield And Wellshill). Sec. O. Jeanfield Div. Grave 15. Born on the 21st April 1917 in Trinidad, West Indies. Before the outbreak of war, qualified as a mining engineer. Son of Henry Alexander MBE (died 09th October 1964, age 92 - a former mayor of Port of Spain, Trinidad) and Jessemina Emelda de Freitas (died 20th August 1958, age 63) and husband of Helen Janice Couoar de Freitas (nee Begg - later Eckel - died 23rd January 1998, age 73), of Perth. B.Sc. Father of Jaqueline de Freitas and Anselm de Freitas. Grave inscription: 'In Loving Memory Of My Dear Husband, Killed In Flying Accident'.

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, Marcel Rosvelds for photo of Fl/Sgt. De Freitas, other sources as quoted below:

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