Mt. Greylock, Williamstown, Massachusetts – May 8, 1943
On May 8, 1943, two Royal Navy Air Force Pilots took off in a single engine aircraft from the Quonset Point Naval Air Station for a training flight over Massachusetts. For a reason that was never ascertained, while passing over the town of Williamstown, Massachusetts, the aircraft crashed into Mt. Greylock and exploded. Both men were killed in the crash.
Sub-Lieutenant Edward William Sewers Berry, age 23. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037573/edward-william_sewers-berry
Leading Aircraft Fitter Richard Peter Sanford, age 20. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15037568/richard-peter_archibald-sandford
Both men were born in England, and are buried in Newport Island Cemetery in Newport, R. I.
A crew from Westover Field in Chicopee, Mass. arrived and began a week-long cleanup of and removal of the wreckage.
The type of aircraft is unknown.
Sources:
The Berkshire County Eagle, “Two Died In Navy Plane on Greylock”, May 12, 1943, pg. 18. Article submitted by Eric Wiberg, author and historian.
Town of Williamstown Death Records – Williamstown Town Hall.
www.findagrave.com
