Research Forum

Search for a grave
published by on Wed, 21/10/2015 - 19:29

I am researching my family history and have spoken several people about a plane crash near Oxford during the war.
The pilots name was Charles Alan Washer and I understand he was born in New Zealand but came over to the uk and was a test pilot. I cannot find he has a commonwealth war grave but may be buried in Berrow churchyard because of a family connection. Can anyone help please

Comments ..

Submitted by Pat Hase on Tue, 03/11/2015 - 15:27

I've been sent this from a member is case it might be useful.

Regarding the RAF Burial another member has recommended Wings over New Zealand as a useful site for queries about New Zealand Pilots. I see that the originator of this query has already used this site.

Submitted by Pat Hase on Thu, 22/10/2015 - 11:33

In case you haven't seen it the was a query about the WASHER family last year which prompted several comments and may lead you to other people researching the same family. You can read it here

There was also an article in one of our Journals in 2012 about the graveyards at Berrow and Brean which you may find interesting, especially as it concerns war graves. You can read that here

That article mentions some booklets published by this society in the 1990s and as I can't see them in the list of Publications for Sale I will quote from them.

WASHER Flight Lieutenant Charles Alan (NZ) Died 12 June 1940 29 years - Burial of Ashes 14 June 1940.

In the same grave:-

Edward died 24 March 1918, 79 years;
Eleanor wife of Edward, died 1 April 1892, 48 years
George died 26 June 1899, 62 years.

The Memorial on the Grave does not include George but does say

"Also in proud memory of Flight Lieutenant Charles Alan WASHER (NZ) aged 29 who bravely gave his life that others might live June 12th 1940"

Submitted by on Wed, 28/10/2015 - 20:09

Many thanks for this information, it kind of ties in with a New Zealand aviation forum giving details and I am particularly interested in the fascinating aspect of Lot Evans not e King forgotten and a CWGC stone provided in his memory.
Is Fl.Lt Washer's memorial clearly readable because I have been asked for a photograph if possible because it seems as if he gave his life staying with the play and landing it away from a very busy school and he told his crew to bail out but died as it crashed in flames near Oxford. I know a lady who witnessed the event as a child and with a friend in Oxford we are investigating to corroborate what information we have. Do you know if there are still members of his extended family living in the area?
Alan's

Submitted by uphill on Thu, 29/10/2015 - 20:04

Lorna - yes he is buried with family - in 19th century a number of Washer brothers left for NZ - he is buried with Edward -one of the brothers who stayed in Berrow

Now there are no Washers left in Berrow as far as I am aware - my line is via one of the sisters of Edward who continued to farm in the area.

Only this year I visited the grave and the memorial was clearly visible - as per Pat Hase transcription.

Whose line are you descended from ?

Best wishes

Submitted by on Mon, 02/11/2015 - 17:23

Many thanks for the information. I am not related to the Washer family but trying to identify this pilot as he does not have a War grave because he was buried with family.
It may be because he was flying as a test pilot rather than in the RAF because he had retired before the war.
It helps with our research and commemoration of his bravery which I will add this site when I can.

Submitted by on Wed, 04/11/2015 - 0:04

I am a NZ cousin of Alan Washer. Below are some details on him and his crash. His headstone is in Berrow's Saint Mary's churchyard shared with his cousins who live in Berrow and then Brent Knoll

Albert Washer was the father of Alan Washer the gifted fighter test pilot who crashed his plane into an empty school play ground near South Hinksey, Berkshire (just south of Oxford) on 12th June 1940 (1 year into WWII).

Charles "Alan" Washer was born in Alton, Taranaki (on parents farm) 11 Oct 10; Attended New Plymouth Boys High School - Employed Archibald Clark, wholesalers, New Plymouth. NZ Army/TF; Embarked for the UK mid- 1929 selected for RAF SS Comm; RAF Uxbridge/DepÃ´t as Pilot u/t & SS Comm 13 Sep 29,

Figure 85: Photo Charles "Alan" Washer test pilot 1930's Swainson/Woods Collection, Puke Ariki

Figure 86: C A Washer test pilot with Izmir Turkish pilots - Pg 1, 20th Oct 1938 Flight magazine

The Times, 14 May 1938
ALAN WASHER (FIRST CRASH - SURVIVED) FIRE IN THE AIR - LOSS OF SECOND EXTREME LONG RANGE TEST AEROPLANE FROM OUR AERONAUTICAL CORRESPONDENT

This aeroplane, a Vickers Wellesley Bomber, prepared specially for longâ€¢ range experimental work, was out on a test flight from Filton when the accident happened. and both the occupants were employees of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. On 5 November 1938, three Vickers Wellesley Bombers under command of Squadron Leader Richard Kellett flew non-stop for two days without landing from Ismailia, Egypt to Darwin, Australia (7,162 mi/11,525 km) setting a world distance record for single engine aircraft which still stands today.

Charles "Alan" Washer was test flying a Bristol Beaufort Mk I L4443 from Bristol which caught fire over Oxford during engine cooling trials. His two senior flight training officer crew members bailed out safely over the Oxford built up residential area and he crashed it into an empty play ground and was killed.

Alan crashed the Bristol Beaufort Mk I L4443 on 12th June 1940 which was 1 year into WWII but only 4 days into the Battle of Britain which ended end on 15th Sept 1940 - so it's unlikely he was involved in the Battle of Britain despite the shortage of pilots.

There are a number of documents on him in the Trentham NZDF records.

Submitted by on Sun, 06/12/2015 - 14:47

Thank Regan,
I think you mean this photo taken in RAF uniform. Is the family group on the same page as this one his family?
I have been to visit the churchyard at Berrow and have taken a photo of the inscription of the Washer family gravestone would you like a copy uploaded to the sight.?