Blenheim L1427, 18 Squadron RAF Meharicourt, France took off from Rosierres-en-Santerre at 08.00 for a flight to Kemble. Struck hill in fog Jeffries Point, Portslade.

Crew

Pilot: P/O 33428 Henry Stephen Penton Hulton killed and is now buried in St Brelade Churchyard, Jersey; Obs: Sgt 580537 Oliver William Dumbreck Killed and is buried at Kirkaldy (Dysart) Cemetery; LAC Oultram and Cpl G.E.Lapwood. Both injured. 

The crash was witnessed by three men who were working in a field a few yards away. Gerald Winter, from Rotherfield but residing at Peacehaven, an agricultural worker of the East Sussex Agricultural Committee, was one of these men.

Upon crashing, the Blenheim caught fire and travelled for a distance of 300 yards coming to rest in gorse on the side of the hill setting fire to the gorse and grass, leaving the wreck amongst the flames. Winter immediately ran to the scene, and was informed by Corporal Lapwood, one of the crew who had managed to extricate himself from the wreckage, that there were still men inside. Winter immediately extricated A.C.I Oultram. He then climbed into the gun turret in an endeavour to locate the remainder of the crew. He saw two figures at the front of the machine beyond his reach. Climbing from the turret he tried with great gallantry to approach the nose of the aircraft but was unable to do so owing to the explosion of the ammunition and the intense heat of the flames. Winter was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal, later changed to a George Cross.