JOHN DAVID THOROGOOD

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Photograph courtesy of Mr. Woods.

JOHNNY

Born: 18th October 1922, Ipswich.

Died: at 15:15 hrs, 1st July 1946; age: 23; killed whilst flying at low level through fog at Painter’s Wood, Powderham Park, Devonshire.

Residence: 26, Austin Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: a Malt Analyst.

John was promoted to Flight Sergeant on the 13th June 1943.

Rank: Flight Lieutenant/Pilot; Service Number: 148183.

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 222 Squadron.

The funeral service was held on the 6th July 1946, at 11 a.m. at the Crematorium Church, Ipswich.

Grave Reference:

Section TR- Crematorium, grave 1.1.

Ipswich Crematorium,

Suffolk.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Travers Norman & Agnes May Thorogood, of Ipswich.

Father: Travers Norman Thorogood, born 1893, Braintree, Essex.

Mother: Agnes May Thorogood (nee Huggins), born June 1894, Hoxne, Suffolk.

John was educated at Northgate Grammar School.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939

John was a Malt Analyst. He lived with his parents and sister at the family home – 26, Austin Street, Ipswich.

Travers, a Policeman.

Agnes, unpaid domestic duties.

Jean Muriel Thorogood, born January 1927, Ipswich.

Probate to Travers Norman Thorogood, a Carpenter & Joiner.

Earlier in the war, on the 30th May 1944, John, a Flight Officer for the Royal Air Force, 609 Squadron, was shot down north of Rouen, France. He was flying a Typhoon JR 386, Evader. John found protection among the French Resistance and escaped.

John is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.

1st July 1946

Aircraft: Gloster Meteor F.3. Mk III; serial number EE295, based at R.A.F Exeter, Devonshire. John was flying through fog at a low level when the aircraft flew into the ground at Painter’s Wood, Powderham Park, 6 miles south of Exeter.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Friday, 19^th July 1946 – FATAL AEROPLANE CRASH – Inquest On Flight-Lieutenant – A verdict of “Death by Misadventure” was returned by the District Coroner Mr. W. Rackwood Cocks, at the inquest at Starcross Yachet Club on Friday on Flight Lieutenant John David Thorogood R.A.F.V.R., aged 24.

John Thorogood crashed when flying a jet-propelled Meteor aircraft at Painters Wood, near Kenton, on the 1^st July. The plane was based at Exeter Airport, and John’s home address is 26, Austin Street, Ipswich.

Flight Lieutenant Leslie G. Lunn, R.A.F.V.R., said he and John were out together flying solo in different aircraft and on duty. There was low cloud extending along the coast. They completed their duty, and he heard John radio that he was going to look at the low cloud again. The position was five miles north of Dawlish at a height of 2,5000ft.

The witness added that John was very experienced from many hours of flying. Each aircraft had a daily inspection. John had flown this craft, which was a good one, before. The low cloud also extended up the Exe Estuary. Apart from this, flying conditions were perfect. John had not commented to suggest anything wrong with the plane and appeared to be perfectly fit.

Company Officer Leslie Lockwood, N.F.S., Exeter, said that about 3:25 p.m., while on duty at the Starcross Depot, he heard an aircraft flying low and close by. He could not see it. Probably due to heavy ground fog. Next, he heard a terrific noise and guessed that the plane had crashed. Investigating, he saw smoke rising from the woods opposite Staplake Mount, Starcross, found parts of the plane strewn about, and the deceased lying dead amongst burning refuse. He pulled the body clear and recovered from the clothing an Air Force identity card.

P.C. Frederick G. Brooks, Kenton, said on arrival at 4 p.m. he found the deceased lying on the ground at Painters Wood, Kenton, at the end of the trail of refuse extending for 250 yards and 30 yards wide through the wood. The first point of impact was an oak tree. The plane appeared to have been travelling in a north-westerly direction when it entered the wood.

Medical evidence indicated that the cause of death was multiple injuries to the head and other parts of the body. The body was only slightly burnt, which would have occurred after death.

In July 2001, John’s brother, Mr. Dennis Norman Thorogood, of Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, wrote a letter to Mr. Reg Driver, after reading an article in the Evening Star newspaper about the extension of the war memorial at Christchurch Park. Dennis submitted the name of his dear lost brother, John David Thorogood, of the R.A.F., and thanked Mr. Driver for his dedication and hard work to remember the people who gave their lives.