March 1945 newspaper London

[nigelp]

If he was with 1653CU he was probably flying a Spitfire Vb. I believe 1653CU moved to RAF North Luffenham (Rutland) in December 1944.

Nigel

[asilky]

Thank you Nigel
for the information.
silky

[kyt]

The aircraft in question was Spitfire AR395. The other aircraft was not a Spitfire but a Dominie (NF889), with all 6 of its crew also being killed.

A couple of links with details for you:

https://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z023_1.pdf
(page 156)

http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/dh89.pdf

K

[nigelp]

20th March - Spitfire 5B AR395 1653 HCU - Location: Witham on the hill - Airborne from North Luffenham for fighter affiliation exercise. Collided after breaking off an attack run on a Lancaster at 1107 at 5000ft with Dominie NF889 from Cranwell, F/O L.W. Marshall DFC RAAF KIA.
20th March - Dominie NF889 1 RS - Location: Witham on the hill - Airborne from Cranwell on a training sortie, collided 1107 with AR395. F/S C.S. Jones KIA, W/O W.E.Durber KIA, AC2 H.Price KIA, AC2 C.J. Russell KIA, AC2 F. Salkead KIA, AC2 G.H. Sargent KIA.

http://www.bcar.org.uk/1945.html

Nigel

[asilky]

Hi Nigel
thank you so much for all you have found for me .Laurie is my cousin 
always a sadness in the family of this accident,brought back each Anzac Day.
silky

[asilky]

Hi Kyt
Thank you for your help  I cannot print that page off or save it is there a way?
 ???Silky.