- Extended Description
- Reginald Douglas EAGLEN. Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 1027840 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve attached to (5 (C ) O T U) No 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit RAF Long Kesh in Northern Ireland, using Maghaberry as a satellite from February to September 1943.
Born in Essex to Thomas Henry and Carrie Isabele Eaglen, of York.
He was part crew of four in a Bristol Beaufort JM451which off from RAF Maghaberry (Satellite )Airfield, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Died 23 July 1943 aged 21 years. At rest in Eglantine All Saints Churchyard, County Down, Northern Ireland.
The following is report taken from the service record of Sgt Alan Gilbert Potter about the Pilot, Flying Officer Maurice John William Aspinall, RCAF actions during a training flight which caused the death of his crew
A. The pilot was briefed to carry out a map reading exercise, air to air firing, photography and QCM training exercise. He flew through cloud at a height of approximately 1000 feet and hit the top of a hill. Both engines were under normal power and aircraft appeared to have been in level flight.
B. Weather at base good. Mist and low cloud covered some of the hills. Pilot was briefed to fly at 3000 feet if he encountered cloud.
C. It is considered that the accident was due to direct disobedience of orders and gross carelessness on the part of the pilot who had over 900 hrs flying experience.
The other crew members of JM451 were:
Flying Officer Maurice John William Aspinall (J/14046) (RCAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant Eric Charles Buttle (1207235) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Alan Gilbert Potter (417302) (RAAF) (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
