Crash of a Fairey Firefly at RNAS Jervis Bay (HMS Nabswick) on about 10 May 1945

CRASH OF A FAIREY FIREFLY
AT RNAS JERVIS BAY (HMS NABSWICK)
ON 12 MAY 1945

On 12 May 1945, a Fairey Firefly Mark I, MB397 of 1771 Naval Air Squadron Royal Navy from HMS Implacable crashed at RNAS Jervis Bay (HMS Nabswick) killing its crew of two as follows:-

- Pilot, Petty Officer Stuart John Walker (FX96725), RN, 20 years old, son of Frederick Wilfred and Florence May Walker, of Shirley, Warwickshire, England, buried Plot B. Row B. Grave 12, Nowra War Cemetery

- Observer, Sub-Lieutenant (A) John Miles Jones, RNVR, 20 years old, son of John Lewis Jones and Joyce Jones, of Gilfach, Glamorgan, Wales, buried Plot B. Row B. Grave 13, Nowra War Cemetery

The Firefly started to land on HMS Implacable with its starboard tyre on fire. The aircraft was waved off and retracted its undercarriage, but then the aircraft caught fire at about 300 feet and spun into Jervis Bay from 50 feet after turning back to the aircraft carrier.

Photo:- via Peter Hosford

Funeral of Pilot, Petty Officer Stuart Walker and the Observer, Sub. Lt. (A)
John M. Jones. They were killed in a crash of a Fairey Firefly Mark 1 at
night time at RNAS Jervis Bay (HMS Nabswick) on about 10 May 1945.
They were both buried in the Nowra War Cemetery.

Photo:- via Peter Hosford