In May 1942 the TRE (Telecommunications Research Establishment) - which was located in Swanage in Dorset - was responsible for all military radar research and development.

It moved to Malvern College in Worcestershire when the radar was at the operational testing stage. The TRE trials were conducted by the RRFU (Radar Research Flying Unit) at RAF Defford, a purpose-built airfield in the grounds of Croome Park, Worcestershire. This site just east of the Malvern Hills was to become one of the most secret bases in the country, a war time home for more than 2,000 service personnel and scientists testing and developing airborne radar.

Two independent radar systems and teams were in development simultaneously, The Klystron system fitted to Handley Page Halifax Bomber R9490 and the Magnetron fitted to Halifax V9977. It seemed during this initial testing that Magnetron (code named H2S) was emerging as the system most capable of achieving the Air Ministry requirements of detecting aircraft at a range of 15 miles and at an altitude of 15000 ft.

On the back of some impressive gains a demonstration and photographic testing flight was arranged for the afternoon of June the 7th 1942. The weather was sunny with clear skies and good visibility when Halifax V9977 took-off from RAF Defford at 3pm.

Onboard was a 5 man operating crew plus 6 additional RAF liaison and EMI scientific personnel. List of those killed onboard Halifax V9977 7 June 1942:

Crew:

P/O Douglas John Davies Berrington 25yo 115095 RAFVR. Pilot.
F/O Algernon Michael Phillips 21yo 44185 RAF. Co/pilot.
W/O Gavin Millar 751019 RAFVR. Obs’.
LAc Brian Douglas George Dear 20yo 571852 RAF. Flt/Engr.
Ac2 Bernard Charles Frederick Bicknell 1271272 RAFVR. W/Op.

Passengers:

S/Ldr Ronald John Sansom 24yo 33372 RAF. Attached T.R.E.
P/O Clifford Edward Vincent 110285 RAFVR. Attached T.R.E.
F/O Geoffrey Spencer Hensby 24 RAFVR. Attached T.R.E.
Mr. Alan Dower Blumlein Civilian Scientist E.M.I.
Mr. Cecil Oswald Browne Civilian Scientist E.M.I.
Mr. Frank Blythen Civilian Scientist E.M.I.

Additional Information:

P/O Berrington was the son of Major John Spencer Davies Berrington and Alice Christine Davies Berrington, of Bettws Lodge.

F/O Phillips was the son of Group Captain Algernon Wynne Pendennis Phillips, RAF, and Stephanie Phillips; husband of Gwenyth Maude Phillips, of Wraysbury, Bucks’.

LAc Dear was the son of Henry and Olive M. Dear, of Anna Valley. S.E. part. His brother Robert Henry also made the ultimate sacrifice.

S/Ldr Sansom was the son of Charles Henry and Sophia Sansom, of Steyning.

P/O Vincent was the son of Edgar Vincent and of Annie Muriel Vincent, of Saltash. B.Sc. (Lond).

F/O Hensby was the son of Frederick Charles and Gertrude Agnes Hensby, of North Farnborough. B.Sc, Hon. Employed at the Telecommunications Research Establishment.

Mr Cecil Browne B.Sc.; of Mead Cottage, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire. Son of Frank and Jessie Martha Browne, of 41 Creffield Road, Ealing, Middlesex; husband of Margaret Winifred Browne.