Date: 1st February 1945
Unit: No. 170 Squadron
Type: Lancaster I
Serial: NG202
Coded: TC-
Location: Mid-air collision over France
Air Gunner: Pilot Officer. Virgil John Fernquist. R.C.A.F. J/ 95301. Age 20. Killed.
REASON FOR LOSS:
On the night of February 1st 1945 Lancaster NG202 was involved in a mid-air collision, the crew were on the homewood leg of a mission to Ludwigshafen when they were struck from behind by a second Lancaster RA502, BQ-Z, of 550 Squadron, which then fell away out of control, 5 of the crew from RA502 were able to abandon the aircraft before it crashed at 2002 hrs at Fleville-devent-Nancy, some 5km south south east from the centre of Nancy, sadly two of her crew were killed, Sgt. N Tinsley, and Sgt A James, their bodies were never found and they are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, both were aged 20. The pilot of NG202, F/O Dixie D.F.C. R.C.A.F. was able to regain control of the aircraft and return safely to Hemswell, but sadly his tail gunner, P/O V J Fernquist R.C.A.F., had sustained mortal injuries, he lies in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery.
The "London Free Press" of Ontario, Canada covered the death recently of the mid upper gunner, Fl/Sgt. William Crabe in the September 19th 2009 publication. Following kind permission they have agreed to allow us use of the article on our website. To read this great article please click "HERE"
Fl/Sgt. William Crabe (Courtesy of the "London Free Press, Ontario, Canada)
Damage to NG202 photographed the next morning
Please click onto the above crew picture of the 550 Squadron Lancaaster I RA502 BQ-Z for the loss of the other aircraft in this collision.
The superb memorial erected in 1998
BURIAL DETAILS:
Pilot Officer. Virgil John Fernquist. R.C.A.F. J/ 95301. Harrogate, Stonefall, Cemetery. Sec. G. Row. F. Grave. 2.
Son of Victor and Viola Christina Fernquist, of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses", The superb work of the C.W.G.C. Purchase these research books "HERE"
