Miles Master Mk.III W8474 of No.16 (Polish) Flying Training School RAF crashed near to Mottram on the 19th July 1942

 

Josef Gowkowski Leading Aircraftman PAF Pilot Killed

 

LAC Gowkowski was on a cross country flight from RAF Newton near Nottingham. His aircraft was seen circling around the Mottram area before the aircraft struck a high tension cable not far from Mottram church. This tore one of the wings off the Master which then spun into the ground at the bottom of ravine where it was completely destroyed.

Crash site of Miles Master Mk.III W8474 at Mottram-in-Longdendale
Nothing of the aircraft remains where is fell in 1942, the aircraft hit cables that are to the right of and above where this picture was taken. One wing came to rest close to where this photo was taken and the aircraft crashed inverted by the small stream in the centre of the photo.
Leading Aircraftman Josef Gowkowski, pilot of Miles Master W8474
Above is a photograph of Josef Gowkowski taken two years before is death at Mottram.
Image: Alan Jones via David Earl
Grave of Leading Aircraftman Josef Gowkowski at Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire
Following his death Josef Gowkowski was buried in the Polish Military section of Newark Cemetery