Patrick John's Story.
Patrick John Boothman was born in 1924 and was the son of John and Gertrude Boothman and husband of Pamela Ann Boothman, of George, Cape Province, South Africa. His father was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force and was the 1931 Schneider Trophy winner. Patrick studied at St John’s School Leatherhead before joining the RAF. He served as a bomber pilot with 178 Squadron RAF from 12th June 1944 onwards based in Italy. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service with 178 Squadron and survived the war. After the war he was with the Empire Air Navigation Squadron at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire when he was killed in a flying accident on 1st August 1946 aged 22.The Accident
The Avro Anson serial number NK503 piloted by Patrick left RAF Shawbury at 1512LT on a training mission to RAF Debden. After takeoff, the pilot decided to perform an unauthorized low pass around the airfield and proceeded north of the terrain at an insufficient altitude of 300 feet. While performing a turn to the left, the aircraft lost height, collided with trees and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt P. J. Boothman, pilot,
F/O W. G. Gingell, navigator,
F/O G. M. Harrison, wireless operator and navigator,
F/Sgt C. G. H. Wheeler.
Probable Cause of accident
Poor judgement on part of the pilot.
Patrick is memorialised at his old school ( Credit IWM)
Patrick's father with the 1931 Schneider Trophy winning Supermarine S6B
Patrick's Flying log book showing his transfer to 178 Squadron in June 1944. Note that in the bottom right corner his squadron leader wrote a commendation for his safe return of his aircraft after both left engines became uncontrollable after being hit by Flak over Zagreb on 29th June 1944. This probably contributed to him being awarded the DFC ( Credit RAF Museum).
178 Squadron Operation Record for 29 June 1944
Patrick and his father both attended the same ceremony at Buckingham Palace ( Credit Flight Magazine)
178 Squadron Liberator