Frederick Samuel Diplock

Sergeant Frederick Samuel Diplock of Belfast was serving in R.A.F. No. 15 Advanced Flying Unit in Yorkshire, England at his time of death on 6th September 1942.

Sergeant

Frederick Samuel Diplock

Sergeant Frederick Samuel Diplock (1078336) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Known to R.A.F. comrades as "Dippy", he was the son of William John Diplock and Mary Kathleen Diplock of 188 Malone Road, Belfast.

Frederick received his education at Belfast College of Technology and Queen’s University, Belfast. In 1941, he joined the Queen’s University Air Squadron. With the squadron, he trained in North American P-51 Mustangs at Terell, Texas, U.S.A.

In civilian life, he was a partner in Auto Accessories at 53 Upper Arthur Street, Belfast. He was also a member of Triumph Masonic Lodge no. 518. at Rosetta Masonic Hall, Belfast.

Airspeed Oxford R6379

Diplock died at 2315hrs on 6th September 1942 aged 27 years old. He was the pilot of Airspeed Oxford R6379 with R.A.F. No. 15 Advanced Flying Unit based at R.A.F. Leconfield, Yorkshire, England. The Oxford was on a night-time training flight when it climbed to 200 feet before making a sharp turn. The planes dived and Diplock regained control before the engine stalled causing the fatal crash. The sergeant’s death registration took place at Holderness, East Yorkshire, England.

Frederick Samuel Diplock’s grave is in Section H, Grave 12 of St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Drumbeg, Co. Antrim. Reverend F.H. L’Estrange of St. John’s Parish, Malone, Belfast conducted the funeral with full military honours on 10th September 1942. The congregation included a Royal Air Force guard of honour and a detachment of Queen’s University Air Squadron.

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