prev. civil pilot - 'B' Licence holder prev exp. 483 hrs on DH Moth, Puss Moth, Hornet, Leopard Moth, Tiger Moth, Tomtit, Avro 638, 640, 504N, Avian m. Oct 1934 in London, Norah [Penny or Ford] (one daughter b.1934) Instructor's Report (Nov 1939) says "has no outstanding faults and has flown the Harvard, Battle and Blenheim very satisfactorily. He should be capable of flying all types." Address in 1939: 'Crossways', Lower Babington, Wirral, Cheshire Address in 1940: Meads, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead, Berks (the home of his brother Paul') Postings: Filton, 3FPP (White Waltham)
d. 25 May 1940 (the first pilot to die in ATA Service) - took off in Blackburn Botha L6160 from Yeadon but shortly after take-off, finding himself approaching two houses on high ground, banked steeply right and, in doing so, hit a stone boundary wall and crashed in Layton Rd, Horsforth, Yorks.. His next-of-kin (and Executor of hs will) was his brother, Lieut. Paul Clark, RN buried Yeadon Cemetery, Leeds, Yorkshire
The £2,000 insurance money was paid to his widow Norah in October 1940, but on 15 August 1941 she wrote to the ATA: "Dear Sirs, I am wondering whether you could advise me or help me in the following manner: I am left with a small daughter aged 7, and my living to earn, she will have to go to boarding school as I have no income coming in now. [Is there] a possiblility of my getting a small pension, if not for myself, for my little girl to help towards her education, my husband's family are in Australia and I cannot get assistance from them, could you in any way possibly put me in touch with the right source of approach to anyone who could help me in this matter. Thanking you in anticipation of a reply. Yours Faithfully Norah Clark (Mrs)" Nothing seems to have come of this, although an ATA Benevolent Fund file was opened for her (but not until July 1945).
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1938
ATA
