Reginald Shore's Story.
Reginald Short Bray was born on 10th March 1919 in Alexander, Manitoba to parents Louis and Constance. After completing high school, he worked as a farmer until he enlisted in the RCAF on 5th September 1941 and trained as a pilot. In late 1943 he transferred to UK where he continued his training. In August 1944 he was assigned as an instructor to 11 (P) AFU at RAF Calveley in Cheshire.On 26th August 1944 he took off at 18-30hrs in Airspeed Oxford HM748 for a night flying test. Soon after takeoff he came across Airspeed Oxford ED281 flying at 2000 feet and for unknown reasons he flew around ED281 making violent unauthorized manouvers which ended when he crashed into ED281. He died instantly in the crash and his aircraft crashed and caught fire. ED281 was severely damaged in the collision but its pilot Flight Lieutenant D Fopp managed to make an emergency landing saving himself and the student pilot who was also onboard. Fopp was later awarded the Airforce Cross for his actions. The reason for Bray’s unauthorized and disobedient flying was never determined.
Accident Report 1
Accident Report 2
Accident Report 3
Accident Record card for HM748
Accident Card for HM 748 ( reverse) note reference to " beating up" other aircraft.
Accident Report card for ED281
Accident Card for ED281 ( reverse)
Bray is commemmorated on the RAF Calveley memorial
Fopp's AFC citation in the London Gazette
