REASON FOR LOSS:

No.285 Squadron ORB confirms the following 06.10.42 "F/O H. J. Davidson (61945) on attachment from M.S.F.U. Speke & due to be posted to this Unit on 07/10/42, was flying Defiant AA 297 on an Anti Aircraft Co-operation course when for some unknown reason approaching to land at RAF Station, Calveley, Cheshire, stalled & crashed. The pilot was killed instantly. Aircraft damage Cat E & partially burned."

The 5 (P) AFU ORB only records the pilot and an un-named airman, the way it is written suggests someone who was on the ground. “Crash and fire at Calveley at 10.00 hours on Aerodrome. Defiant F/O Davidson, Multiple Injuries. Engine cut-out of fuel. Machine guns went off injuring one airman in the leg. Admitted Crewe EMS and transferred Winwick for operation.”

10th October 1942

"S/Ldr J.G. Younghusband attended the funeral service at Stratford, Manchester of F/O H. J. Davidson. The body was afterwards cremated at Manchester Crematorium".

Letter from Commanding Officer. Squadron Leader Younghusband. No.285 Squadron.

Since 1st October 1942, was the 1st pilot to join M.S.F.U. (Merchant Ship Fighter Unit) and had completed 5 sea trips with the unit. He made the first CAM ship voyage in the SS Empire Rainbow and was attached to M.S.F.U. Pilots Pool, Dartmouth (Nova Scotia), from the time of its formation on 14.9.41 until 19.10.41.”

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(Right) Henry as Catapult Hurricane pilot (Hegney)cccccccccccccccccc “Hurricam” Catapult Hurricane (IWMccccccccccc

Fine portrait photograph of Henry Davidson R.A.F.V.R. (Hegney).

The victories of Henry John Davidson during the Battle of Britain.

During September 1940 Henry was flying Hurricanes with No.249 squadron. On September 27th 1940, Henry had three air victories credited/shared on that day!

Attacked the Ju 88 (Stab./KG77) of Oblt. Lutze. Aircraft crashed at Penhurst, near Tonbridge, Kent.

Attacked Ju 88 (KG77) of Oblt. Seif. Aircraft crashed at Sevenoaks, Kent.

Attacked (Shared) Me Bf 110 (3./LG1) of Oblt. Weikeiser. Aircraft crashed at Oxted, Surrey.

Manchester Crematorium (Net)

Burial detail:

Grave Reference Panel 10.
Cemetery MANCHESTER CREMATORIUM
Additional Information:
Son of Sidney John and Eliza Jessie Davidson; husband of Muriel Davidson, of Stretford.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless in remembrance of Mick Hegney’s grandfather. January 2014.

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and heritage at The British Library.