Frederick Connell

[madcat11]

Hello All,
I’m researching an Engineer from The Air Ministry who passed away on 15th Aug 1944. His name is Frederick William Thomas Griffin Connell, or words to that effect. CWGC has him registered as buried in Newmarket District but I have seen a headstone with his name on it in CambridgeCity Cemetery. From what I’ve uncovered so far, he may have died in an air crash at Warbraham Farm, Heath Road, Burwell, Cambs. Question is this: Why does CWGC have him buried in Newmarket? What were the circumstances surrounding the crash.
All help gratefully received!
Thankyou.

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by madcat11

Hello All,
I’m researching an Engineer from The Air Ministry who passed away on 15th Aug 1944. His name is Frederick William Thomas Griffin Connell, or words to that effect. CWGC has him registered as buried in Newmarket District but I have seen a headstone with his name on it in CambridgeCity Cemetery. From what I’ve uncovered so far, he may have died in an air crash at Warbraham Farm, Heath Road, Burwell, Cambs. Question is this: Why does CWGC have him buried in Newmarket? What were the circumstances surrounding the crash.
All help gratefully received!
Thankyou.

Those sound like the circumstances of the accident to Oxford L4635, which dived into the ground after an engine caught fire on approach to RAF Newmarket (just SE of Warbraham Mains Farm) on that date.

[madcat11]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Those sound like the circumstances of the accident to Oxford L4635, which dived into the ground after an engine caught fire on approach to RAF Newmarket (just SE of Warbraham Mains Farm) on that date.

Thanks for the info. Do you know who was onboard?

[DaveReidUK]

Group Captain Anthony Oliver Moleswoth of the Metropolitan Communications Squadron.

Interestingly, he is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, according to the CWGC.

[madcat11]

Originally Posted by DaveReidUK

Group Captain Anthony Oliver Moleswoth of the Metropolitan Communications Squadron.

Interestingly, he is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery, according to the CWGC.

I will have a look next week and see if I can find him. Mr Connell was from the Ministry of Aircraft Production and not the Air Ministry as I previously stated.

[DaveReidUK]

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1946_I...rs:_Obituaries

[madcat11]

That’s what I found too. Why was he going to Newmarket? Why does the evidence suggest the Gp Capt was alone on the Oxford?

[Icare9]

madcat11: Have you found anything further?
You may have found
Airspeed AS.10 Oxford Mk.I L4635 of the Metropolitan Comms Squadron, RAF was written off (destroyed) 15 August 1944 when it crashed on approach to RAF Newmarket, Suffolk: On final approach to RAF Newmarket, an engine caught fire. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and it crashed in flames, short of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire and the sole occupant was killed. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/16168
However, it is possible that Thomas Connell was aboard, as it would be possible for a Principal Technical Officer to hitch a lift, or be on board for technical purposes.
The accident is pretty well documented, however, so I don't see them missing the body of a passenger, but the circumstantial evidence certainly appears to link him to the accident site.
Two deaths in Bramwell on one day and NOT related must be unusual.
Crew of Oxford L4635: Group Captain Anthony Oliver Molesworth - killed. Cause of crash: Engine fire.
The RAF station known as "RAF Newmarket" was actually a grass airstrip on Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse. This air strip is still used by light aircraft today.

CWGC record Civilian Deaths under the Reporting District in which they died. Families could then arrange funerals in their home town or wherever they crashed, depending on circumstances, so not having the burial details isn't strange for civilian deaths.

As to why he was going to Newmarket, we'll probably never know, but the area was chock full of airfields so as Principal Technical Officer he could be investigating a problem or involved in research at any one of them. Hope that helps

[madcat11]

Actually there was probably 3.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...george-albert/

[chevvron]

I seem to recall several 'first flights' of new types took place from Newmarket due to its long areas of level grass, one type being the prototype Meteors.
This might explain why Connell and the Gp Capt were going there.

[treadigraph]

Meteor first flew from Cranwell I believe?

[Allan Lupton]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

Meteor first flew from Cranwell I believe?

as had E28/39 before it.

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

Meteor first flew from Cranwell I believe?

But it did 'fast taxy runs' at Newmarket first (DG 202/G now in the RAF Museum) and I seem to recall another type (the name of which escapes me) as being trucked to Newmarket for its first flight.