Author Topic: Jacques Lemonnier  (Read 861 times)

Offline Elliven

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Jacques Lemonnier
« on: Friday 26 July 19 00:05 BST (UK) »
On 13th December 1945 two Free French spitfires collided in the vicinity of Pontop Pike, Co Durham.  One of the pilots was killed as the propeller of the other aircraft severed his arm.  He was able to get out of the doomed plane but his parachute failed to open as he was unable to pull the ripcord.  Has anyone any idea how I might find out what happened to the other pilot whom I cannot name as it is theoretically possible that he is still alive.

This incident was allegedly reported in the press but I have been unable to find a report.  The deceased pilot crashed in Chopwell - which was then in County Durham.  The surviving pilot crashed 4 or 5 miles away near the village of East Castle.

Online CaroleW

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Re: Jacques Lemonnier
« Reply #1 on: Friday 26 July 19 00:13 BST (UK) »
From freebmd - very slightly different spelling of surname

Deaths Dec qtr 1945   
Lemonier    Jacques J B    20    Durham N.W.    10a   295
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Carlin (Ireland & Liverpool) Doughty & Wright (Liverpool) Dick & Park (Scotland & Liverpool)

Offline Elliven

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Re: Jacques Lemonnier
« Reply #2 on: Friday 26 July 19 00:18 BST (UK) »
Thank you for that information

Offline philipsearching

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Re: Jacques Lemonnier
« Reply #3 on: Friday 26 July 19 00:45 BST (UK) »
According to a thread on http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/06447.php the pilot (named) of the plane (number BS463) crash-landed near East Castle, Co Durham and survived.

The first name and surname match a person who appears on a passenger list on FamilySearch - Paris (Orly) to New York 2/3/56
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HZT-FGM

Hope this helps
Philip
Please help me to help you by citing sources for information.

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Offline Elliven

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Re: Jacques Lemonnier
« Reply #4 on: Friday 26 July 19 01:27 BST (UK) »
Thank you very much - that does help - a lot!

Offline Tickettyboo

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Re: Jacques Lemonnier
« Reply #5 on: Friday 26 July 19 08:44 BST (UK) »
Newcastle Evening Chronicle
13 Dec 1945 page 1 col 6

PLANE EXPLODES AT CHOPWELL

One airman was seen to parachute from a plane when it exploded over Chopwell village today and fell into a field behind Whinney Lea.
The airman parachuted onto the CHopwell Minerss’ cricket field about half a mile distance from where the plane crashed.

At the moment that is all I can see, but I'll have another look later.

Boo

Offline Elliven

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Re: Jacques Lemonnier
« Reply #6 on: Friday 26 July 19 10:11 BST (UK) »
Thank you for that information.  Most of the material I have been researching happened during the War years and was subject to censorship.  If I can get a copy, this will be a nice piece of visual evidence for the local history project for Leadgate which is a neighbouring village.  The other plane landed at East Castle which was the next village over.  It is rare that my research brings me so close to home - I can actually see the spot over which the collision occurred, from where I am sitting now!