Vickers Wellington Mk.III BK508 of No.27 OTU, crashed at Radbourne to the East of Church Broughton during the early evening of the 4th April 1943 while on an air test from Church Broughton
Frank Law | Sergeant RAFVR | Pilot | Survived |
Peter Adolphus White | Sergeant RAFVR | Air Bomber | Killed |
The aircraft which had been on a test flight from Church Broughton was on the down wind leg of its approach with the under carriage down for landing when the starboard engine failed. With insufficient speed and height to turn back towards the aircraft the pilot raised the undercarriage and attempted to force land the aircraft in a field, he was however unable to avoid striking a tree which caused the aircraft to burst into flames killing Sgt White.
The crash site is most likely to be one identified as being a Wellington near Mickleover on the edge of Derby as details from eye witnesses match those recorded by the RAF in relation to this aircraft, also whereas most of the crash sites in this area lay within the Repton registration district Sgt White’s death was registered in the Shardlow district which covered the area where this crash occurred.

