Flight Lieutenant Denis Ralph Hatton.
Pilot.
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
201 Squadron.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Aged 23.
Son of Richard George and Minnie Florence née McGill Hatton, of Skegness, Lincolnshire, who were married in Lewisham, London, in Spring 1920.
His birth was registered in Lewisham in the quarter ended December 1921.
He entered the Civil Service after Open Competition, being appointed to the Clerical Class category, effective 27th January 1939.
He appears to have been appointed an RAF Leading Aircraftman on 10 July 1942.
He trained with the US Air Force in Pensacola, Florida, and upon completion of his training, he was posted to RAF Oban in February 1944.
In September 1944, he commenced flying with 201 Squadron, out of RAF Castle Archdale.
201 Squadron operated Flying Boats [principally the Short Sunderland] on reconnaissance missions over the North Atlantic during World War 2, hunting down German Submarines, and giving air support to convoys. It was based at RAF Castle Archdale, Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
The aircraft took off at 02.00 that night, and crashed into Crownarad Hill, near Killybegs, Co. Donegal, about 30 minutes later, apparently having lost its way.
All on board were killed, and their bodies were returned by the Irish Army on the following day to the authorities in Northern Ireland. 8 were buried in Irvinestown, close to RAF Castle Archdale, but 4 were returned to their families for burial in Britain.
See an account of the incident
Killybegs Crash
by Dennis Burke
[ Find A Grave Contributor Dennis Burke ]
The crew of the Short S.25. Sunderland Mark 3 ML 743 consisted of
Flight Lieutenant Denis Ralph Hatton
Pilot.
Pilot Officer Robert Douglas Albert Becker
Co-Pilot.
Flight Sergeant Stanley Bernard Frith
Co. Pilot.
Flight Sergeant David John Thomas Twist
Flight Engineer
Flight Lieutenant John Percival Garrard
Navigator.
Flight Lieutenant Vivian Howkins
Navigator.
Flight Sergeant Edward Norman Cave
Wireless Operator.
Flight Sergeant Norman Davison
Wireless Operator/Air Mechanic.
Flight Sergeant James George Robinson
Wireless Operator / Air Mechanic
Air Gunners:
Flight Sergeant Frederick Nicholas George Ford
Flight Sergeant George Reginald Kennedy
Flight Sergeant James McAvoy
Flight Lieutenant Denis Ralph Hatton.
Pilot.
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
201 Squadron.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Aged 23.
Son of Richard George and Minnie Florence née McGill Hatton, of Skegness, Lincolnshire, who were married in Lewisham, London, in Spring 1920.
His birth was registered in Lewisham in the quarter ended December 1921.
He entered the Civil Service after Open Competition, being appointed to the Clerical Class category, effective 27th January 1939.
He appears to have been appointed an RAF Leading Aircraftman on 10 July 1942.
He trained with the US Air Force in Pensacola, Florida, and upon completion of his training, he was posted to RAF Oban in February 1944.
In September 1944, he commenced flying with 201 Squadron, out of RAF Castle Archdale.
201 Squadron operated Flying Boats [principally the Short Sunderland] on reconnaissance missions over the North Atlantic during World War 2, hunting down German Submarines, and giving air support to convoys. It was based at RAF Castle Archdale, Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
The aircraft took off at 02.00 that night, and crashed into Crownarad Hill, near Killybegs, Co. Donegal, about 30 minutes later, apparently having lost its way.
All on board were killed, and their bodies were returned by the Irish Army on the following day to the authorities in Northern Ireland. 8 were buried in Irvinestown, close to RAF Castle Archdale, but 4 were returned to their families for burial in Britain.
See an account of the incident
Killybegs Crash
by Dennis Burke
[ Find A Grave Contributor Dennis Burke ]
The crew of the Short S.25. Sunderland Mark 3 ML 743 consisted of
Flight Lieutenant Denis Ralph Hatton
Pilot.
Pilot Officer Robert Douglas Albert Becker
Co-Pilot.
Flight Sergeant Stanley Bernard Frith
Co. Pilot.
Flight Sergeant David John Thomas Twist
Flight Engineer
Flight Lieutenant John Percival Garrard
Navigator.
Flight Lieutenant Vivian Howkins
Navigator.
Flight Sergeant Edward Norman Cave
Wireless Operator.
Flight Sergeant Norman Davison
Wireless Operator/Air Mechanic.
Flight Sergeant James George Robinson
Wireless Operator / Air Mechanic
Air Gunners:
Flight Sergeant Frederick Nicholas George Ford
Flight Sergeant George Reginald Kennedy
Flight Sergeant James McAvoy
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