They shall grow not old, as we that are left
grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years
condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the
morning,
We will remember them.
Wilbur Washington "Bee" Acton was born on 23rd December 1915 to William Albert Acton and his wife Irene Reece, in Ohio, USA.
In the States Wilbur worked as an airplane salesman for Dave Peterson Charter Services in Kansas.
During World War Two Wilbur signed up with the Air Transport Auxiliary on a contract basis, ferrying bomber and fighter planes from factories in Canada to England. The first contract lasted a year from 16th May 1941 to 15th May 1942. The second contract Wilbur signed was to last 18 months from 12th August 1943. Wilbur was to earn the nickname "Bee" during his time flying for the A.T.A., it was reported that he was a "keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engine and light and medium twin aircraft."
On 8th July 1944 First Officer Wilbur Acton was flying an Anson I NK773, when an Oxford X7134 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Bernard N Phillips, descended below the cloud cover and collided with the tail of Wilbur's Anson. Both planes crashed in a field just five miles north of Hullavington, Rodbourne, Wiltshire.
RAF Pilot Bernard Norman Philips of the Oxford was killed, along with Squadron Leader William Alfred Law.
On July 20th 1944 Flight Magazine reported -
It seems at odds that the sacrifice these brave men and women made could simply be summed up in one sentence.
During World War Two Wilbur signed up with the Air Transport Auxiliary on a contract basis, ferrying bomber and fighter planes from factories in Canada to England. The first contract lasted a year from 16th May 1941 to 15th May 1942. The second contract Wilbur signed was to last 18 months from 12th August 1943. Wilbur was to earn the nickname "Bee" during his time flying for the A.T.A., it was reported that he was a "keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engine and light and medium twin aircraft."
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| First Officer Wilbur "Bee" Acton. |
On 8th July 1944 First Officer Wilbur Acton was flying an Anson I NK773, when an Oxford X7134 piloted by Flight Lieutenant Bernard N Phillips, descended below the cloud cover and collided with the tail of Wilbur's Anson. Both planes crashed in a field just five miles north of Hullavington, Rodbourne, Wiltshire.
RAF Pilot Bernard Norman Philips of the Oxford was killed, along with Squadron Leader William Alfred Law.
On July 20th 1944 Flight Magazine reported -
"Air Transport Auxiliary
First Officer Wilbur Washington (Bee) Acton, U.S.A., A.T.A., killed in the course of ferrying duties in England."
It seems at odds that the sacrifice these brave men and women made could simply be summed up in one sentence.
Restored Anson Mk I Bomber in flight
Source - Wikipedia
Very interesting, It seems this was not an uncommon thing to happen during the way. Pity you could not find out more of his background.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at this grave I came across the weekend, will be featured in my next blog.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spuduka/9497220552/
It's a sad fact that a lot of airmen died from accidents during the war. The plane technology wasn't nearly as sophisticated as it is now, and unfortunately, there were a lot of accidents as a result.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Taphophile Tragics.