Airspeed Oxford Mk.I L4601 of No.17 Service Flying Training School crashed on Shutlingsloe 4th April 1945 while flying from Cranwell

Airspeed Oxford

 

Horace Keith Shawyer Flying Officer Pilot (Instructor) Injured
Horace Garth Featonby Flight Lieutenant Pilot (u/t) Killed
Fred Roscoe Leading Aircraftman Passenger Killed
Albert Joseph Burd Corporal Passenger Injured
George Fishwick Aircraftsman 1st Class Passenger Killed

 

The aircraft was being used for a day cross country flight from RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. The aircraft had taken off from Cranwell at about 09:30 and had flown for around 40 to 45 minutes when the crew encountered patchy low cloud. They attempted to remain below the cloud in visual contact with the ground but lost sight of it and flew into the southern side of Shutlingsloe.

Tiny fragments of wreckage found at the crash site of Airspeed Oxford L4601 on Shutlingsloe, Wildboarclough, Cheshire
Above are the only pieces we have ever been able find from this aircraft, some fragments of yellow painted canvas and corroded alloy.
Grave of Leading Aircraftman Fred Roscoe at Blacon Cemetery, Chester
Fred Roscoe was buried in Chester (Blacon) cemetery, above if a photograph of his grave.