William McMullen (RCAF officer)
Pilot Officer William Stuart McMullen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 September 1911 Toronto, Canada |
| Died | 13 January 1945 Darlington, United Kingdom |
| Buried | Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ | Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942-1945 |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Service number | J/90038 |
| Unit | 428 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
William Stuart McMullen (died 13 January 1945) was a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot who died in an aeroplane crash at Darlington in the north east of England during the Second World War.[1]
Early life[edit]
William Stuart McMullen was born to James Henry and Ettie McMullen of Toronto in Canada. He attended Leslie Street Public School before moving on to Riverdale Collegiate. There is some debate as to William's age, depending on the source he was aged either 29 or 33. It's thought he gave his age as younger upon enlisting in the air force as he was too old for pilot training. On his Royal Canadian Air Force Attestation Paper he gives his date of birth as 16 September 1915.[2] However, the 1921 Canadian Census lists his date of birth as 16 September 1911.[3] After completing school he worked as a Coca-Cola sales rep and a driller in a goldmine, with his disposable income going towards flying lessons.[4][5][6]
Wartime Service[edit]
Since he was a boy William had a love of flight and with the outbreak of war he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Of his career choice William wrote -[4]
There is nothing I would like better than to be in the air force and see some action.
William secured his flight wings in November 1942 and went to the United Kingdom to train on Avro Lancaster bombers in 1944. In the UK he was appointed to a crew who had lost their previous pilot to injury and with them joined 428 Squadron at RAF Middleton St George.[4]
Training Mission and Death[edit]
After going without a mission for 3 weeks the squadron was sent on a navigational training mission. After departing in Lancaster KB793 at 17.47 all went well with their journey over the North York Moors and they turned for home. When only 10 minutes from landing the outer port engine caught fire, with wireless operator Flight Sergeant Steve Ratsoy reporting sparks and a red glow.[4]
McMullen ordered his Flight Engineer "Lew" Lewellin to feather the engine to shut it down. However, it would later be found that the feathering pipe had already been consumed by the fire. So when the button was pressed it was adding oil to the fire rather than feathering the engine. Ratsoy reported a sheet of flame and the red glow expanding down the wing.[4]
With the aircraft stricken, McMullen gave the order to abandon the bomber, "Jump, jump, jump".[4]
One by one the crew parachuted to safety, with Lewellin the last to leave. The accident report states that in reply to Lewellin's question, McMullen said, “Yes, go on, get out, I’m right behind you...”. Although press reports have his last words as being, "It's only me for it. There are thousands down below".[4]
However, he decided not to follow and remained at the controls. He stayed at his post as witnesses reported the flames changing from the orange of burning fuel to the white of burning metal. McMullen directed the aeroplane away from the houses of Darlington and onto Lingfield Farm where it cartwheeled for 150 yards with McMullen killed on impact. He was found still in his seat 120 yards from the wreckage and his boots were still strapped to the pedals of the cockpit.[4]
The accident report noted -[4]
From the evidence given, it is considered that the pilot and crew in this emergency carried out their duties to the best of their ability. It is also noted that the pilot retained control of the aircraft sufficiently long enough to avoid crashing into the built-up area of Darlington.
McMullen rests in the care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery.[5]
Post Accident Reaction[edit]
Investigation[edit]
Flight Lieutenant Frank E. Lynch was appointed to lead the investigation into the accident and he submitted his report dated 20 January 1945. His report concluded that following analysis by Rolls Royce engineers the crash was caused by a failure of the No. 6 A piston. The cause of the failure was not known but Rolls Royce were to continue their examinations of the wreckage.[6]
The report also noted that -[6]
With regard to the pilot not abandoning the aircraft, there is no indication that he was jammed or caught in his position. His parachute harness was still present but apparently had not been touched. The Medical Officer declines to make any definite statement, but in his opinion the pilot was uninjured up until the time of impact.
Tributes[edit]
In the wake of the accident the Darlington Gallant Airman Fund was established and raised £1,000 for McMullen's widow Thelma (whom he married in 1937) and their daughter Donna Mae. However, Thelma returned the money saying that with Britain having sustained such war damage it should be put to use there. So the town sent Thelma an ornate silver rose bowl with the remainder of the funds used on two children's cots for Darlington Memorial Hospital. McMullen's sister Mae attended a presentation ceremony as the cots were given to the hospital in 1945.[6]
In further tribute, Lingfield Lane near the crash site was renamed McMullen Road in his honour with a memorial stone also placed. However, in later years the stone was consumed by undergrowth and the cots with their memorial plaques lost in a hospital reorganisation. By the time of the 50th Anniversary in 1995 a new stone was put in place and a ceremony held.[6]
The Mayor of Darlington Jimmy Blumer wrote to Thelma McMullen in 1945 -[6]
For sheer self-sacrificing heroism, your husband's action will be remembered and honoured by the people of Darlington for years to come... Our sorrow is mixed with great pride in the knowledge that our mighty Empire produces men like William Stuart McMullen.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Don't forget to remember Darlington's "Gallant Airman" on Sunday". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
- ↑ Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 28161
- ↑ Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 99; Census Place: Toronto (City, part), York East, Ontario; Page Number: 12
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 "In memory of McMullen". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Casualty - William Stuart McMullen". www.cwgc.org. Retrieved 2019-01-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "In praise of Pilot Officer William McMullen". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
This article "William McMullen (RCAF officer)" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:William McMullen (RCAF officer). Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
