Richard William's Story.
Richard William Browne was born in Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa in 1923. He trained as a pilot with the RAF and was at RAF Sleap in Shropshire in September 1943 for training in Whitley bombers with 81 OTU.On 7th September 1943 Richard was piloting a Whitley bomber BD257 on a night flying exercise. During the takeoff from a flare lit runway the aircraft swung to the left and Richard tried to correct the swing. However the correction caused the aircraft to swing in the opposite direction and the aircraft crashed into the control tower killing 4 of the five crew (including Richard) and three ground crew in the tower including 2 WAAFs.
Richard was buried at Blacon Cemetery and is commemorated on a memorial plaque at Sleap airfield.
Accident Report 1
Accident Report 2
81 OTU Whitleys at RAF Sleap
RAF Sleap Memorial