North East Aircraft Museum

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Hurricane P3664

By Peter Ure

The weather in January 2007 made the short walk from the car park to the Marley Hill Community Centre, high up in the southern district of Gateshead, focus one’s mind. It was cold, windy and extremely biting - a degree lower and a snow shower would have been in the air.

Back in February 1942, Marley Hill listened to the sound of a Merlin powered Hurricane overhead and was witness to the efforts of a Canadian Pilot, who was part of an on-going conflict trying to make his way back to his home airfield. On a clear day at Marley Hill you can look east to where the Hurricane was heading - it’s almost a straight line to RAF Usworth.

60 years is a long period, time has moved on since then and circumstances have changed immeasurably. Sergeant James D’Arcy Lees Graham didn’t make it back from that flight all those years ago, World War II eventually ended and the airfield Sgt. Graham flew from, is no more.

Locally born Philip Smith, from the Air Crash Investigation and Archaeology group felt strongly enough that the name of this particular Canadian Pilot should not be forgotten. Through his efforts, Marley Hill has once again, in the depths of winter been re-united with the name of Sgt. J.D.L. Graham; Mrs Shiela McMahon (who came across the crash scene) and a present day Canadian Airman, the current Air attaché Lt/Col Dan Edgar.

22nd January 2007 was the day that a fitting tribute was paid to a fallen hero at Marley Hill Community Centre, when a plaque was unveiled and a dedication took place in honour of Sgt. Graham. The proceedings were conducted by the Gateshead Mayor Councill Maureen Goldsworthy, the Rev. Bob Hopper and Lt/Col Dan Edgar. Also in attendance and connecting with the past was Spitfire pilot Ted Hughes (resident of Ponteland) who had come into contact with Philip whilst he was conducting the research into the fate of Sgt. Graham.

Sergeant/Pilot James D’Arcy Lees Graham was born at Carstairs in Alberta Canada on the 27th December 1917 and was 5ft. 9ins. medium build with blue eyes and auburn hair. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force with service number R77959. At the age of 24 Sgt Graham was a pilot with 55 OTU RAF, stationed at RAF Usworth during WWII.

Along with other aircraft of his unit, Sgt. Graham was airborne in Hurricane Mk.1 P3664 from Usworth on Tuesday 10th February 1942 when the weather began to change. A general call was sent out to all 55 OTU aircraft in the area, advising that the weather had suddenly deteriorated and all aircraft were to return. Sgt. Graham had received the message and acknowledged.

Air Ministry Form 1180 states that the cause of the accident was down to:
"Flew into high ground in a snow squall. Weather deteriorated suddenly. Aircraft apparently dived out of low cloud. Failed to see ground in time to pull up.”

Form 765C states that the time of the crash was 1305hrs and:
“the aircraft was damaged beyond repair or was completely burnt out.”

Through his research and whilst talking to eye witness’s, Philip has established the exact location of the crash. The Hurricane came down at High Marley Hill, very near to the present day radio communications transmission mast and that the remains of the aircraft were removed at the time. The November 1984 edition of Flypast Magazine also carries recollections of RAF Usworth from a Canadian Airman’s perspective during that period Reading the text, a flavour of the time and a fair assumption can be made that fellow Hurricane pilot Bob Sayle from British Columbia, worked alongside and knew Sgt. Graham. Bob Sayle was stationed at RAF Usworth, from December 1941 until at least the middle of 1942. Bob goes on to describe that: ‘the weather wasn’t good at that time of year (January and February)….industrial haze added to the problem. Going up to 10,000ft for the Hurricane tests often meant flying through solid cloud, which was fine except that you had to find your own way home. There was no VHF channels to direct you, at least not on those aircraft. In really murky conditions it was best to come down over the sea, then follow Sunderland’s familiar harbour with its two breakwaters. From Sunderland you followed the River Wear inland until you came to the oxbow, turned hard left and lo and behold, there was Usworth straight ahead!’ 55 OTU left RAF Usworth on 28th April 1942, departing to RAF Annan .

Councill Maureen Goldsworthy unveiled the plaque at Marley Hill Community Centre to an invited audience, both she and the Rev Bob Hopper spoke about the courage people such as Sgt. Graham had in that conflict. It was also fitting and very poignant that Lt/Col Dan Edgar was in attendance. Lt/Col Edgar provided a link to Sgt. Graham’s homeland and the Armed Forces he represented. Lt/Col Edgar spoke of times past, when Canadian’s travelled to Europe and were engaged with Britain and the Allies in a struggle for freedom. He went on to say that that struggle for freedom still continues today and that Canada currently has personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside British Forces. People such as Sgt. Graham gave his life in order for people to live in freedom and he was proud that the people of this area remember a fellow countryman of his.

Sergeant James D’Arcy Lees Graham is buried at Hylton (Castletown) Cemetery Sunderland, section D row 1 grave 707.

The circumstances of Sgt. Graham’s death and the dedication which took place at Marley Hill in January of this year has been incorporated into a DVD covering other historical points of interest of the Marley Hill, Sunniside and Whickham area. A copy can be obtain from Philip Smith. Philip would also like to hear from any surviving aircrew/ground crew who served with 55 OTU whilst at RAF Usworth or anyone who has personal recollections on wartime aircraft crashes in the region. Philip would like to thank; Thomas Bell, Joan Broughton, Lt/Col Dan Edgar, Tess Larmour, Kevin Lowdon and Sheila McGahon.

Credits: Graeme Carrott, Flypast, Philip Smith and Peter Ure.