Seeking info on F/O Wilfred Sefton Emmett's death

[Dave Homewood]

Does anyone have information on the accident that led to the death of Flying Officer Wilfred Sefton Emmett, NZ401377, in a No. 201 Squadron Short Sunderland on the 2rd of December 1941?

His nephew Ken Emmett tells me, "I think they had done another convoy patrol & were getting low on fuel & got caught out with sea fog were not able to get back to base & had ditch in heavy seas. I thought he was the only one missing but see by the letter to his mother there were 3 others as well. You might be able to find out more maybe?"

The last entry in his logbook was:
30 Nov 1941 - Sunderland II - W3988 - F/Lt Fleming - Self& Crew - Test - 25 mins

So the actual flight where he died was not entered into his logbook by anyone, but it was likely the same Sunderland as he and his crew flew W3988 the most of his flights from late September to the end of November.

[Antonio]

For Your Tomorrow, vol 1 p157 refers.

Not sure if Errol would appreciate me posting the entry bit the Sunderland was W3988:  P

[Dave Homewood]

Blimey, I should have looked there first. Thanks.

[Antonio]

[errolmartyn]

Wed 3 Dec 1941
Coastal Command
Escort patrol
201 Squadron, RAF (Lough Erne, County Fermanagh - 15 Group)
Sunderland II W3988/P - took off at 0630 captained by Flt Lt J G Fleming, RAF. Lost in poor visibility and failing light, at 1730 dropped flares in the vicinity of Carrowmore Point, Co. Clare, Eire. An hour later, after two landing attempts, W3988 finally alighted on the sea about 2 miles off the Point and 3 miles north of Doonbeg, 38 miles WNW of Limerick, losing a float in the process. All 11 crew, wearing their Mae Wests, safely disembarked into two dinghies. Unfortunately, in the rough seas, they were unable to keep together and paddle the few miles to shore. The only two survivors finally drifted ashore unconscious and were interned by the Irish authorities. Some of the dead later washed ashore, but the others, including the 2nd pilot, are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
2nd Pilot: NZ401377 Plt Off Wilfred Sefton EMMETT, RNZAF - Age 26. 475hrs. 7th op.

(Vol One, For your Tomorrow)

Errol

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Errol.