Personnel Index - Detail
The 49Sqn ORBs during this period give only the briefest of crew descriptions.
Additional records give the initials "R F" for P/O Keighley.
This airman flew 5 Hampden operations as a navigator with pilot P/O Mervyn-Jones........ Bremen, Hannover, Dunkirk, Minelaying and Cologne.
It is highly likely (but not 100% certain) that P/O R F Keighley is the same pilot who was killed on 21st September 1941 whilst serving with No. 7 Blind Approach Training Flight.
P/O Keighley is buried in Hornsea Cemetery.
Details of his death were located by Colin Cripps, 49Sqn Researcher.
Oxford V4036 at Finningley airfield.
On 21st September 1941 the pilot of this aircraft was taking off using instruments at Finningley in poor visibility when, at 09:19hrs the aircraft drifted off course and crashed into a hanger. Sadly two of the three on board were killed.
Oxford V4036 was built by 'The Standard Motor Car Company Ltd' at Cowley and was taken on charge by No.7 Beam Approach Training Flight (B.A.T. Flight) on 15th August 1941 at Finningley.
As a result of the accident on 21st September 1941 the aircraft written off.
Pilot - F/O Richard Francis Keighley RAFVR (86324), aged 23, of Seaton, Hornsea. Buried Hornsea Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Also killed..........S/Ldr Arthur John Frank Churchill RAF (37036), aged 27, of Furzeham, Brixham, Devon. Buried Finningley Churchyard Extension, Yorkshire.
F/Sgt E Growes. Injured, suffered shock.
The website Yorkshire Aircraft gives additional details regarding the rank of P/O Keighley which is incorrect.