Melvillle John Kingshott
Melville John Kingshott was a Flying Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force. His service number was 400278.
Melville was born in Coburg, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 17th February 1916. His parents were Harry Julian & Elsie May Kingshott. He was the oldest of 6 children in this family and was the great-great-grandson of John Kingshott of Greatham. He was my 7th cousin once removed.
On the 3rd January 1942 a Blenheim IV, P6959, took off for a cross-country exercise. Flying Officer Kingshott was the commander. It dived from the cloud base, estimated at 2000 feet, and failed to recover before hitting the ground at Stanton-upon-Edgebolton, Shropshire, England, at 1145 hours.
Tragically, the entire crew of Flying Officer Kingshott, Sergeant W Jowett and Sgt RM Masson were all killed upon impact.
Melville, known as Mel, is buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Shawbury, Shropshire, England. He was 25 years old.