Date: 14/15th January 1945
Unit: No. 692 Squadron P.F.F
Type: Mosquito B. XVI
Serial: MM150
Code: PE - E
Location: In woodland near Snelsmore Farm, Chieveley, Berkshire.
Base: Graveley.
Pilot: Flying Officer John Perenera Morgan RNZAF 413881 Age 24. Killed
Navigator: Sergeant John A. M. Sturrock RAFVR 1800054 Age 19. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Fourteen aircraft detailed for operations. Mosquito MM150 took-off from GRAVELEY at 21.09 hours, loaded with a single 4,000lb "cookie".
The raid was led by S/L W. C. Brodie, DSO, DFM (pilot) and F/L K. R. Triggs DFC (navigator) in Mosquito Mk.XVI, serial number MM182.
One aircraft cancelled owing to a burst tyre on take-off, one aircraft missing. Of the remainder, nine aircraft bombed Berlin and three bombed secondary targetís owing to technical trouble. Only four aircraft dropped their "cookies" during the first wave on the big city. One aircraft bombed Bonn and another Cologne due to technical failures. Over Berlin the sky was clear and excellent results were observed both on marking the target and bombing. Opposition from the enemy was slight, a few searchlights with slight heavy flak, although a few fighter flares were observed.
During the second wave, again one aircraft failed to reach the target and bombed Euskirchen using GEE. It was clear weather over the target and moderate results were observed, marking being scattered. On the whole, not a bad prang. It was however marred by the fact that two of our aircraft did not return! One being reported as crashed in this country, with the pilots body being found nearby. In F/O J. P. Morgan, the dead pilot, the Squadron lost an excellent Captain. There is no news of his navigator Sgt Sturrock, whose opened parachute has been discovered.
Line up of No.692 Sqdn Mosquitoes, MM150 could be third from left as this is the only four bladed Mossie the Squadron had.
The second Mosquito lost by the Squadron was MM128 flown by F/O G. R. P. Chaundy DFM and F/S G. F. Ayre R.A.A.F .
The reason for the loss is unclear, but sadly both crew members perished. Their graves can be found in ANTWERPEN, in the city's Schoonselhof Cemetery. F/O Chaundy had served in the Middle East with No.148 Sqdn, details of his DFM having appeared in the London Gazette on the 23rd March 1943.
Extract from the No.15 Operational Training Unit ORB. Summary; 14.01.1945
This aircraft was flying from its base at Graveley in bad weather and short of fuel. The crew, F/O Morgan (pilot) and Sgt Sturrock (navigator) abandoned the aircraft near Greenham Common, Berkshire. The aircraft continued on to crash at Snelsmore Farm, Chieveley, Berkshire.
Sadly the New Zealand pilot was killed when he struck the tail fin of the aircraft whilst baling-out, his body was subsequently found nearby to his wrecked machine. The navigator landed safely. Police informed Hampstead Norris airfield regarding the crash, however Greenham Common airfield had taken all necessary action. Both stations mounted guard over the wreck.
Maori pilot, Flying Officer John Morgan
Further extract from No.692 Squadron ORB.
15.01.1945
News received that F/O J. P. Morgan NZ 413881 Pilot was killed when his aircraft crashed. His navigator's parachute harness was found 12 miles south of NEWBURY.
17.01.1945
News was received late in the day that the body of 1800054 Sgt J. A. M. Sturrock. Nav "B" has been found some 3 to 4 miles away from his harness. The death of both members of crew in such tragic circumstances is deeply regretted.
19.01.1945
F/L A. R. Galbraith and F/O C. Wild represented the Squadron at the funeral of F/O J. P. Morgan at R.A.F. Regional Cemetery, Cambridge.
27.01.1945
F/L G. E. Bradbury D.F.C. represented the Squadron at the private funeral of Sgt J. A. M. Sturrock.
Sources; PRO, Kew. Air 29/587 and Air 27/2216
MISSIONS FLOWN BY F/O. J.P. MORGAN (NEW ZEALAND) AND NAVIGATOR SGT. J. A. M. STURROCK.
No.692 SQUADRON 1944 - 45
DATE TARGET AIRCRAFT
(1) 26.09.44 FRANKFURT MM176
(2) 27.09.44 KASSEL ML969
(3) 29.09.44 KARLSRUHE ML969
(4) 01.10.44 BRUNSWICK MM183
(5) 02.10.44 BRUNSWICK ML970
(6) 19.10.44 WIESBADEN MM144
(7) 22.10.44 HAMBURG PF392
(8) 23.10.44 BERLIN PF388
(9) 28.10.44 COLOGNE PF388
(10) 29.10.44 COLOGNE PF388
(11) 31.10.44 HAMBURG PF388
(12) 09.11.44 HANNOVER MM150
(13) 11.11.44 HANNOVER MM187
(14) 15.11.44 BERLIN MM150
(15) 18.11.44 WIESBADEN MM150
(16) 23.11.44 HANNOVER MM150
(17) 25.11.44 NUREMERG MM150
(18) 27.11.44 BERLIN MM150
(19) 29.11.44 HANNOVER ML970
(20) 30.11.44 HAMBURG MM150
(21) 02.12.44 GIESSEN MM150
(22) 04.12.44 HAGEN MM150
(23) 07.12.44 COLOGNE MM150
(24) 18.12.44 NUREMBERG PF388
(25) 28.12.44 FRANKFURT PF400
(26) 30.12.44 HANNOVER MM188
(27) 01.01.45 HANNOVER MM221
(28) 02.01.45 BERLIN PF388
(29) 05.01.45 HANNOVER MM182
(30) 14/15.01.45 BERLIN MM150
Burial details:
Flying Officer John Perenera Morgan RNZAF 413881 Cambridge City Cemetery; Grave 15719
Son of John Jefferey Morgan and of Rose Ellen Morgan (nee Tinnerley), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand; husband of Silva Morgan, of Mount Eden, Auckland New Zealand.
Sergeant John A. M. Sturrock RAFVR 1800054 New Southgate Cemetery; Section A.C. Grave 963.
Son of Alexander Lawson McKenzie Sturrock and Ellen May Sturrock, of Wood Green, Middlesex.
Pilot's seat harness release was returned to John's family in New Zealand
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses", Theo Boiten - "German Nightfighter War Diaries", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The superb work of the C.W.G.C. Purchase these research books "HERE"
