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Tributes to Graham Brayshaw, Flying Officer (U/T Pilot) : 21 August 1917 – 27 February 1943 Jerry Ridout and Graham Thompson Photos courtesy Jerry Ridout (unless stated otherwise) July 2019 We saw your articles about Dennis Moss on the website which provided us with the details to tie up many loose ends that had been missing from the tragic events in Box in 1943. Jerry Ridout Wrote We visited Box last year using the information to locate the area where the ill-fated Wellington Bomber X3985 crashed tragically without survivors. My great uncle Graham Brayshaw (Volunteer Reserve) who was the X3985 pilot and Dennis Oswald Moss (Air Bomber), his close friend, and three other crew members were aboard X3985 on a mission from RAF Upper Heyford. Right: Graham was awarded his wings in 1941 |
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Our understanding was that the flight crew were on a training mission on 27 February from RAF Upper Heyford which routed the crew via RAF Colerne close to Box. One of the two engines failed and the pilot lost control of the aeroplane, though we have found no formal log to verify this. I understand from general reports that there had been many engine issues generally with the Wellington Bomber aircraft from the outset and again at this time, a serious engine fault or failure that was to prove fateful for the entire crew and the X3985.[1]
The site of the airshaft where the X3985 is believed to have crashed. You can still see a small U in the main part of the woods.
We also understand that there was a heightened level of security surrounding the crash in Box as it occurred above the mainline between Paddington and the West Country where the underground quarry tunnels were being used by the British forces to store vast quantities of ammunition & explosives. If the enemy had discovered this fact, Box would have been targeted with what Germany could throw at it as we understand that this was one, if not the largest, munitions storage facility in Europe at the time possibly turning the tide in favour of the Axis Powers. It could be one of the leading reasons why we could never determine the full picture surrounding my great uncle Graham. Previously I had been told by close family members that the crew were killed hitting high voltage cables without any mention of the Vickers Wellington and that he flew Stirling Bombers during the war. Again, misinformation taking us off the scent of the trail to determine the true facts, as was the name of the location, Hazelbury House Farm.
I visited RAF Kemble to enquire about any flypast or landings at this RAF station by X3985 but unfortunately it was non-logged. I was advised that many training sessions would have taken place in the Cotswolds throughout the war and that Wellingtons like other aircraft types would regularly fly down on missions or training sessions to North Africa in wartime to test their range with different loads. I managed to contact a gentleman at ex-RAF / USAF Upper Heyford Airbase, who could not locate any information surrounding X3985 and simply provided the information published on the website.
I visited RAF Kemble to enquire about any flypast or landings at this RAF station by X3985 but unfortunately it was non-logged. I was advised that many training sessions would have taken place in the Cotswolds throughout the war and that Wellingtons like other aircraft types would regularly fly down on missions or training sessions to North Africa in wartime to test their range with different loads. I managed to contact a gentleman at ex-RAF / USAF Upper Heyford Airbase, who could not locate any information surrounding X3985 and simply provided the information published on the website.
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Photographs of the fields of poppies on areas close to the site on a scale I have never witnessed previously.
The War Graves Commission headstone image is inscribed Flying Officer, G. Brayshaw, U/T Pilot. The term U/T could reference Under Training, confirming the crew were on a training mission when tragically one engine failed whilst pulling up over Box from the RAF station at Colerne, resulting in the fatal crash. Lest we forget.
Graham Thompson Wrote
My late uncle was born in Greetland, near Halifax in the former West Riding. Throughout his short life he resided at his parents’ house, Rockville, in Stainland, near Halifax. Active locally in a variety of community organisations, he took up employment in the family worsted spinning business, Brayshaw & Dickinson Ltd, at Town Ings Mill, Stainland. The business had been incorporated as a private company on 13 June 1910, and purchased the Mill’s freehold in 1911. Graham was appointed a director of the company in 1938. His war record notes his civil occupation as Manager – worsted spinning and he retained his interest in its activity during his service in the RAF.
The Halifax Courier and Guardian carried a fine tribute to him as an obituary: He was educated at Heath Grammar School, Halifax, and Rydal School, Colwyn Bay, and afterwards joined the firm of Brayshaw and Dickinson Ltd, worsted spinners, Stainland, of which his father is a director and founder. He devoted much of his time to the family business and held the position of managing director when he joined the RAF and was also a member of the Bradford Exchange. Well-known in the district, Flying Officer Brayshaw was an active worker at Stainland Methodist Chapel and Sunday School and was connected with the scout movement in Huddersfield. He was unmarried.
Graham Thompson Wrote
My late uncle was born in Greetland, near Halifax in the former West Riding. Throughout his short life he resided at his parents’ house, Rockville, in Stainland, near Halifax. Active locally in a variety of community organisations, he took up employment in the family worsted spinning business, Brayshaw & Dickinson Ltd, at Town Ings Mill, Stainland. The business had been incorporated as a private company on 13 June 1910, and purchased the Mill’s freehold in 1911. Graham was appointed a director of the company in 1938. His war record notes his civil occupation as Manager – worsted spinning and he retained his interest in its activity during his service in the RAF.
The Halifax Courier and Guardian carried a fine tribute to him as an obituary: He was educated at Heath Grammar School, Halifax, and Rydal School, Colwyn Bay, and afterwards joined the firm of Brayshaw and Dickinson Ltd, worsted spinners, Stainland, of which his father is a director and founder. He devoted much of his time to the family business and held the position of managing director when he joined the RAF and was also a member of the Bradford Exchange. Well-known in the district, Flying Officer Brayshaw was an active worker at Stainland Methodist Chapel and Sunday School and was connected with the scout movement in Huddersfield. He was unmarried.
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Graham enlisted with the RAF on 7 October 1940. It is unclear if he had any other previous service in the armed forces. His RAF record shows his first posting as 3RC Padgate, a recruitment centre (RC) in Lancashire, where many young men experienced their first taste of military life and discipline. He was immediately enlisted in the 3RC Reserve as an AC2 (Aircraftsman 2nd Class). However, it would appear that his service career was decided early as his record shows 6ACSB (Air Crew Selection Board) 8 October 1940. Rec (recommended) for training as Pilot/Observer. On 3 January 1941, presumably after basic induction training, he was transferred to Reserve 9RW, Stratford, and, on 8 March 1941 to 10 ITW, the Initial Training Wing (ITW), which had been formed on 13 December 1940 in Scarborough, along with other similarly-named units located mainly in seaside towns, which was disbanded on 18 June 1945.
Photos Left and Below were possible taken when Flying Officer Brayshaw was undergoing training in Canada (courtesy Graham Thompson) |
It would appear that, while posted with this unit, he was selected or approved for further training, his record showing as ACH (Aircraft hand) Pilot, or Obsvr (Observer). It is likely that he might have linked up with other RAF Yorkshire recruits at this time, if, in fact, he was ever posted in Scarborough. What is clear is that his record states u/t (under training) Pilot (II) 14.5.41.
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Graham undertook his pilot training in Canada, along with many other UK recruits at that time.[2] After Dunkirk, the Government transferred many of those functions there under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (CATP), also known as the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS). His initial posting in Canada was at 1 Manning Depot, Toronto, where he arrived on 13 June 1941 to be acclimatised and finally allocated to his training location. He moved to 20 EFTS (Elementary Flying Training School), based at Oshawa, Ontario, on 23 June 1941, and, on 20 August 1941, from there, to 5 SFTS (Service Flying Training School) at Brantford, Ontario.
He qualified as a pilot on 21 November 1941 and, returned to the UK just before Christmas that year. He was initially allocated to 3PRC (Personnel Reception Centre), which arranged postings, and, from there to 6 AONS (Air Observers and Navigational School) on 6 January 1942. He had another (undecipherable) posting on 1 June.1942; and, then, on 8 December 1942 to No 16 OTU (Operational Training Unit), in whose attachment he lost his life in Wiltshire on 27 February 1943. Graham’s RAF record notes under Movements Killed in Active Service (FA) on 27.2.43, Accident to Aircraft. FA denotes Flying Accident. |
Graham in training as a young officer
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From his service record, Graham appears to have held the RAF ranks of AC2 (Aircraftsman Class 2) 7 October 1940; LAC (Leading Aircraftsman) 14 May 1941; Pilot Officer on probation 21 November 1941; Flying Officer on probation 1 October 1942. (Also please see Addendum)
Family Man
Graham was very close to his family and local community. His sister, Isabel, records in her 1941 diary the arrival of regular letters, and, the occasional cable from Graham when he was away:
16 June 1941: Had two cables from Graham to say he’s in Canada at Toronto Flying School. That same week, my mother recorded: Germany declared war on Russia her ally and started this a.m. at 3 o’clock. The conflict was ever-present.
4/ July 1941: Graham flew solo for the first time on July 4th, just 6 months after joining up.
8/ November 1941: Graham sent Mother and I some butter from Canada.
22 November 1941: We had a telegram from Graham to say he has got his “wings” and leaves Brantford Friday 21st Nov.
While on leave, there are several diary reports of family meals, outings, and him taking or collecting his niece, Anne[3] and possibly Leueen[4] to and from school. In spite of all the chaos, uncertainty, and, unspoken danger around them, they all tried to retain a semblance of normality in their precious time together. The sudden loss of Flying Officer Brayshaw and his crew on Flight X3985 was just one amongst many, but, nevertheless, still a unique and personal incident, a tragic example of the everyday impact of this momentous conflict.
On a note of record about Graham Brayshaw’s grave in the Stainland Methodist Chapelyard, he was laid to rest in a private family grave, when he was buried on 4 March 1943. He was later joined by his parents, George (in 1946) and Amy (1952). In 1990, then turned 80, my mother, Isabel, Graham’s sister, approached the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with my assistance to enquire if it might consider assuming responsibility for the family grave in Stainland. Her primary intention was to preserve the memories of Graham and their parents in perpetuity, in the tender care of the Commission. After sorting out a variety of administrative considerations, the Commission kindly agreed to do so. The new headstone was erected on 5 November 1993.
Earlier that year, my mother suffered the consequences of at least two severe stokes, which left her requiring care in a nursing home. She also lost her husband, Neville (my father) that March. I sensed that the completion of the new memorial gave her some comfort, and, a sense of closure in her increasingly limiting circumstances. Having had the honour of being given his name, (as was my cousin Peter Graham), when I was born in 1948, it has been a privilege to personally keep my uncle Graham’s memory alive, a responsibility which I carry with immense pride.
Family Man
Graham was very close to his family and local community. His sister, Isabel, records in her 1941 diary the arrival of regular letters, and, the occasional cable from Graham when he was away:
16 June 1941: Had two cables from Graham to say he’s in Canada at Toronto Flying School. That same week, my mother recorded: Germany declared war on Russia her ally and started this a.m. at 3 o’clock. The conflict was ever-present.
4/ July 1941: Graham flew solo for the first time on July 4th, just 6 months after joining up.
8/ November 1941: Graham sent Mother and I some butter from Canada.
22 November 1941: We had a telegram from Graham to say he has got his “wings” and leaves Brantford Friday 21st Nov.
While on leave, there are several diary reports of family meals, outings, and him taking or collecting his niece, Anne[3] and possibly Leueen[4] to and from school. In spite of all the chaos, uncertainty, and, unspoken danger around them, they all tried to retain a semblance of normality in their precious time together. The sudden loss of Flying Officer Brayshaw and his crew on Flight X3985 was just one amongst many, but, nevertheless, still a unique and personal incident, a tragic example of the everyday impact of this momentous conflict.
On a note of record about Graham Brayshaw’s grave in the Stainland Methodist Chapelyard, he was laid to rest in a private family grave, when he was buried on 4 March 1943. He was later joined by his parents, George (in 1946) and Amy (1952). In 1990, then turned 80, my mother, Isabel, Graham’s sister, approached the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with my assistance to enquire if it might consider assuming responsibility for the family grave in Stainland. Her primary intention was to preserve the memories of Graham and their parents in perpetuity, in the tender care of the Commission. After sorting out a variety of administrative considerations, the Commission kindly agreed to do so. The new headstone was erected on 5 November 1993.
Earlier that year, my mother suffered the consequences of at least two severe stokes, which left her requiring care in a nursing home. She also lost her husband, Neville (my father) that March. I sensed that the completion of the new memorial gave her some comfort, and, a sense of closure in her increasingly limiting circumstances. Having had the honour of being given his name, (as was my cousin Peter Graham), when I was born in 1948, it has been a privilege to personally keep my uncle Graham’s memory alive, a responsibility which I carry with immense pride.
My Mother's Diary
My mother Isabel kept a diary for 1943, poignantly recording the events and her feelings surrounding uncle Graham’s loss. She makes a direct link with the family of Dennis Moss, one of the other crew members. Her diary entries include:
16 January 1943 We had a surprise when Graham walked in on a 48 hrs leave.
17 January 1943 Graham came up for an hour & then went back on the 4.53pm bus. (From her diary entries, this looks like the last time uncle Graham was with his family.)
01 March 1943 Terrible news indeed has arrived today. Graham was killed in a flying accident last Sat. 27th Feb.
02 March 1943 No news so far of Graham being brought home. Mother is marvellous, the dear sweet soul.
03 March 1943 Graham was brought home soon after lunch, what a difference from what we had longed for so long, his long overdue leave.
04 March 1943 Eric’s birthday, he would have been 40. Graham was laid to rest next to Eric, so they are together again. Geoff Priestley came to represent the RAF. (Eric Holt was Isabel’s late husband who died suddenly in 1938 while on holiday in North Wales. He is buried with his parents in the adjacent grave in Stainland to uncle Graham & his parents.)
05 March 1943 Margaret & Frederick went to Dennis Moss’s funeral, another victim of the crash. (Margaret is uncle Graham’s older sister; Frederick was her husband.)
13 March 1943 Lovely day. Mrs Moss, Dennis’s widow, came to tea with her little son, Christopher.
20 July 1943 Graham’s things have arrived today.
21 August 1943 Graham’s birthday (26th). How we wish Graham was here. (At this time, Isabel, with her daughter, Anne, was visiting her sister, Margaret at her home in Surrey.)
There is another poignant entry in June 1943:
17 June 1943 Father has heard that Geoff Priestley is missing from a raid over Duisberg. (Geoffrey Douglas Priestley had attended uncle Graham's funeral to represent the RAF. His Lancaster bomber was shot down on the its return from the raid and he and some of his companions were buried in a War Grave in Amersfoort, Holland. Another flying tragedy that year.)
My mother Isabel kept a diary for 1943, poignantly recording the events and her feelings surrounding uncle Graham’s loss. She makes a direct link with the family of Dennis Moss, one of the other crew members. Her diary entries include:
16 January 1943 We had a surprise when Graham walked in on a 48 hrs leave.
17 January 1943 Graham came up for an hour & then went back on the 4.53pm bus. (From her diary entries, this looks like the last time uncle Graham was with his family.)
01 March 1943 Terrible news indeed has arrived today. Graham was killed in a flying accident last Sat. 27th Feb.
02 March 1943 No news so far of Graham being brought home. Mother is marvellous, the dear sweet soul.
03 March 1943 Graham was brought home soon after lunch, what a difference from what we had longed for so long, his long overdue leave.
04 March 1943 Eric’s birthday, he would have been 40. Graham was laid to rest next to Eric, so they are together again. Geoff Priestley came to represent the RAF. (Eric Holt was Isabel’s late husband who died suddenly in 1938 while on holiday in North Wales. He is buried with his parents in the adjacent grave in Stainland to uncle Graham & his parents.)
05 March 1943 Margaret & Frederick went to Dennis Moss’s funeral, another victim of the crash. (Margaret is uncle Graham’s older sister; Frederick was her husband.)
13 March 1943 Lovely day. Mrs Moss, Dennis’s widow, came to tea with her little son, Christopher.
20 July 1943 Graham’s things have arrived today.
21 August 1943 Graham’s birthday (26th). How we wish Graham was here. (At this time, Isabel, with her daughter, Anne, was visiting her sister, Margaret at her home in Surrey.)
There is another poignant entry in June 1943:
17 June 1943 Father has heard that Geoff Priestley is missing from a raid over Duisberg. (Geoffrey Douglas Priestley had attended uncle Graham's funeral to represent the RAF. His Lancaster bomber was shot down on the its return from the raid and he and some of his companions were buried in a War Grave in Amersfoort, Holland. Another flying tragedy that year.)
In Memoriam
It is to Graham’s father George that the last words must go. It was always said that George never really got over the loss of his only son. George’s diaries record some spare, yet poignant reflections, written immaculately in pencil:
27 February1944: Nice covering of snow, not deep. 1 Year since Graham went to heaven.
21 August 1944: Graham’s 27th birthday.
27 February 1946: Three years since our beloved Graham died.
21 August 1946: Dear Graham’s birthday, 29.
George himself died on 27 December 1946.
It is to Graham’s father George that the last words must go. It was always said that George never really got over the loss of his only son. George’s diaries record some spare, yet poignant reflections, written immaculately in pencil:
27 February1944: Nice covering of snow, not deep. 1 Year since Graham went to heaven.
21 August 1944: Graham’s 27th birthday.
27 February 1946: Three years since our beloved Graham died.
21 August 1946: Dear Graham’s birthday, 29.
George himself died on 27 December 1946.
Addendum
I believe that he may also have been promoted to Sergeant on 21 November 1941, which probably coincided with his getting his wings. However, it appears to have been a temporary promotion as his service record says it was, On appointment to a temporary commission on his discharge from the ranks the previous day. His new record as an Officer reads: Granted commission for the emergency as P/O on prob (Ex Sgt) Branch RAFVR … with effect from 21-11-41.[5] How long he served as a Sergeant and the reason for the emergency is not clear but, hopefully, someone might confirm that for us some day.
Family Tree
Parents: George Brayshaw (6 April 1875 – 27 December 1946 at Stainland) and Amy Ann Brayshaw, nee Kitchen (6 April 1875 – 23 April 1952 at Eastbourne)
Siblings: Margaret Wolfenden, nee Brayshaw (28 October 1906 – 2 March 1959 at Wimbledon); Isabel Thompson, formerly Holt, nee Brayshaw (24 February 1910 – 17 January 1996 at Cobham, Surrey)
I believe that he may also have been promoted to Sergeant on 21 November 1941, which probably coincided with his getting his wings. However, it appears to have been a temporary promotion as his service record says it was, On appointment to a temporary commission on his discharge from the ranks the previous day. His new record as an Officer reads: Granted commission for the emergency as P/O on prob (Ex Sgt) Branch RAFVR … with effect from 21-11-41.[5] How long he served as a Sergeant and the reason for the emergency is not clear but, hopefully, someone might confirm that for us some day.
Family Tree
Parents: George Brayshaw (6 April 1875 – 27 December 1946 at Stainland) and Amy Ann Brayshaw, nee Kitchen (6 April 1875 – 23 April 1952 at Eastbourne)
Siblings: Margaret Wolfenden, nee Brayshaw (28 October 1906 – 2 March 1959 at Wimbledon); Isabel Thompson, formerly Holt, nee Brayshaw (24 February 1910 – 17 January 1996 at Cobham, Surrey)
References
[1] Posted on valid Warbird and war-related sites on the internet
[2] See article about Alec Cogswell
[3] Isabel’s daughter 1935 – 2014
[4] His other niece
[5] The Date of Gazette for this promotion was 14 April 1942, quite a long wait in those uncertain times, but also understandable in the circumstances.
[1] Posted on valid Warbird and war-related sites on the internet
[2] See article about Alec Cogswell
[3] Isabel’s daughter 1935 – 2014
[4] His other niece
[5] The Date of Gazette for this promotion was 14 April 1942, quite a long wait in those uncertain times, but also understandable in the circumstances.