William Booth

Rank:SergeantNumber:1063016
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Name of Rgt or Ship:Command Unknown
Died:26/09/1941Age:26
How Died:Accidental
Country of burial:U.K.Grave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Sale Cemetery
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born on the 12th January 1915, the birth being registered during the March
quarter 1915 in the Bradford (Yorkshire) R.D. - -ref: 9b/296, the son of 
Percy & Ruth A. Booth (nee Artingstall).

1921 Census - 26, Johnson Street, Cheetham, North Manchester.   Grandson -
aged: 6 - born: Bradford, Yorkshire.    Residing with his maternal
grandparents and his two brothers.  No trace of his parents. 

1939 Census - 43 Carlton Road, Sale.   Ellen Artingstall (Grandmother) -
Born on the 20th August 1860 - Widow - occ: Unpaid Domestic Duties.   
William Booth - Born on the 13th January 1915 - Single - occ: Motor
Transport Driver..   Frederick Booth - Born on the 21st June 1916 - Single
- occ: Found, Labourer - Transport Driver.

Attended Chethams School.   He was a keen cyclist, a member of the Pyramid
Road Club for 6 years and held the Club record for the 25 mile race.

He had only been in the RAF for less than one year and had only gained his
"wings" a month before his death.      A Pilot, his aircraft crashed into
the garden of a house in Cambridge, whereupon it burst into flames and
bullets were flying everywhere.  Sgt Booth was extricated, but found to be
dead.

Buried 03/10/1941 - Burial No. 23411.   His grand-mother, Mrs. Ellen
Artingstall purchased the grave.

Death reported on the front page of the Daily Herald and the Birmingham
Post - 27th September 1941 edition.  Also the Manchester Evening News
edition dated the 1st October 1941.

Inquest held at the Guildhall, Cambridge ion the 27th September 1941.  Flt.
Lt. David Bell Salter gave evidence of identification and informed that
William took off for a training flight and that the aircraft was in good
order (they always said that !).   A witness stated that the a/c went into
a spiral and steep dive.  It hit a garden wall at 8 Bennet's Place, off
Lensfield Road and burst into flames.  Bullets started flying around
everywhere..   The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Accidental death from
multiple injuries and severe burns".

Photo in the local newspaper.    Funeral report in 10/10/1941 edition.
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