On Monday, 22 March 1943, two aircraft from 296 Squadron, based at RAF Hurn, Dorset, were flying in formation, returning from a routine training flight. At 1440 hours, they collided mid-air in turbulence over a field in Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire. The aircraft were both Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V. In the Whitley BD 422 were:
Flying Officer Derek Woodhead Jackson, 296 Squadron
Flight Sergeant Frank Nicholson, 296 Squadron
Flight Sergeant Thomas Henry Brown, 296 Squadron
Sergeant Leslie Lawrance Bull, 296 Squadron
Lieutenant Frederick James Burgess, 1st The Glider Pilot Regiment, AAC
In the Whitley LA 827:
Flying Officer Robert Tope Hamer, 296 Squadron
The air was bumpy and the two aircraft slipped in together, the BD 422 striking the underside of LA 827. F/O Jackson, the pilot of BD 422, managed to turn the aircraft to prevent its crashing on the village. All five men lost their lives.
The only survivor was F/O Robert T Hamer who, despite damage sustained to his aircraft, managed to land it on one wheel at RAF Polebrook, about four miles away.
A letter from Mr Alec Biffen Gould, Castle Farm, Fotheringhay, dated 12 April 1943, reveals the sympathy of the village towards the relatives of the crew and the gratitude to the pilot in averting a greater tragedy.
On Sunday, 22 March 2026 the village will remember that day, once again expressing Fotheringhay's sympathy to relatives of the men who died. A memorial will be dedicated to their memory, near to the crash site. A service will take place in the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Fotheringhay at 1.00 pm. All welcome.