Ball , Joseph Jarvis (J J)

Died in Aircraft Accident, de Havilland DH.115 Vampire T.Mk 11 XD549 of 8 FTS and Vickers Varsity WJ914 of 1 Radio School collided at approximately 1,500 feet, and crashed five miles south west Oakington, Cambridgeshire. The Vampire had just taken off from Oakington on an instructional flight with Pilot Officer Jarvis J Ball at the controls together with his instructor. This aircraft had amber screens with P/O Ball wearing blue goggles. The Vampire made a climbing turn to the left and came up beneath the port wing of the Varsity whose pilot was seemingly unaware of its approach. The starboard wing of the Vampire prevented the instructor from seeing the Varsity. The Vampire sheared the port wing off and turned onto its back in a half roll to the left. The six crew of the Varsity and the two crew of the Vampire were all killed. Crew of the Vampire T.11 were Flying Officer A. J. Lakerman (instructor) and Pilot Officer J. J. Ball (pupil)