I have to report that at 16.37 hours on the 8th June 1944 a telephone message was received at Lewes Police Station from a G.P.O linesman working at Glynde, that a Lightning aircraft was believed to have crashed at West Firle. With PWRs Russell and Ridley I went to the scene in the Police m.car. About 200 yards S.E.of a cattle yard at Toy Farm, Parish of Beddingham, and on top of The Downs, the wreckage of an American Lightning was found strewn over a distance of about 150 yards, parts being alight. The number on the starboard rudder fin was 267569. There was one body which had been thrown from the machine. The features had been destroyed. No identity disc was found but a tailor's tab was found on the remainder of the trousers with the name Lt W H JACKSON written in ink thereon. In one of the trousers pockets was found the remains of a pocket compass. These articles have been handed to Divn. W.D.D. F/O LETLEY of 149 Unit Deanland, arrived with an ambulance and party and the body of Lt Jackson was removed by them to Friston. F/O Letley took over the guarding of the machine until the arrival of a guard from his unit.

At 16.40 hours on Thursday, 8th June, 1944, an American Lightning, No 267569, crashed owing to fog at Toy Farm, Beddingham at MR 906237.

The pilot, Lt W H Jackson, was killed and his body was removed to RAF Friston.

Guard for the wreckage was provided by the 149 Unit, RAF Deanland.