Based at RAF Oulton, Norfolk with 139 squadron.

 

On 8th of August 1941 While  practicing Formation flying over Oulton  one engine, either caught fire or failed. Then Crashed 0944 hrs near North Barningham church at Barningham park to the north west of Matlaske, Norfolk. Two of the crew baled out, Sgt D. Beale, (W.Op./Air Gnr)  landed ok, but Sgt, Shaw a Canadian serving in the RAF, had only one hook of his parachute fastened and fatally delayed the canopy from deploying. Farm workers tried to rescue the crew, but were beating back by flames and exploding ammo. So they assumed all crew were lost.

 

The two killed were,

Sgt. (Pilot) John.Adrian.Gibbs, RAFVR. aged 20. Uk National. Service no: 1174298

Son of Eric N. Gibbs and Marjory E. Gibbs, of Westminster, London.

NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk  Sec. 54. Grave 523.

 

Sgt. (Obs) James.Pierson.Shaw RAFVR (of Canada), aged 28. Uk National. Service no: 920449

NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk  Sec. 54. Grave 524.

 

Unfortunately D. Beale was killed two months later on 13th Oct 1941.

Blenheim Z7273 XD-H. Operation. Circus 108A

Airborne 1215 from Oulton. shot down by Me109s near Arques (Pas-de- Calais), 4 km SE of St-Omer. All are buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. F/L R.J.Chamberlain DFC KIA Sgt F.L.C.Jewell KIA Sgt D.Beale KIA "

Beale, Donald, Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr) RAVR. 139,Sqdn.  Service no 1161382.

age 21, son of William and Mary Beale.

Boulogne Eastern Cemetry. Plot 13. Row. C.  Coll grave 1-3.

 

 

General characteristics

Crew: 3  Length: 42 ft 7 in (12.98 m)  Wingspan: 56 ft 4 in (17.17 m) Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.0 m)

 

Wing area: 469 ft² (43.6 m²) Empty weight: 9,790 lb (4,450 kg) Loaded weight: 14,400 lb (6,545 kg)

 

Powerplant: 2× Bristol Mercury XV radial engine, 920 hp

 

Maximum speed: 266 mph (231 kn, 428 km/h) Range: 1,460 mi (1,270 nmi, 2,351 km)