Brian Cull reports the presence of B Flight on Merville airfield, with a number of training on Hawker Hurricane Mk I [1].

The A Flight remains deployed for the day on Vitry-en-Artois with No.607 (RAF) Squadron.

The first mission is to escort a Bristol Blenheim Mk IV, No.18 (RAF) Squadron, over the Albert Canal to check the condition of the bridges. The take-off is severely disrupted by the announcement of the arrival of an ennemy bomber formation [2] or because of the maneuvers of the bomber [3], and only two Hawker Hurricane Mk I (Squadron Leader Joseph R. Kayll, Flight Lieutenant Leslie TW Thornley) are able to provide the escort. The mission unfolds without incident, but the aircraft of Flight Lieutenant Leslie T.W. Thornley (wing spar) and the Bristol Blenheim are damaged by ground fire. Note that the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV L8866 (Flying Officer D.D. Rogers; Sergeant A.J. Gulliver ; Leading Aircraftman D.C. Moore) of No.18 (RAF) Squadron is reported to be damaged during a reconnaissance over the Albert Canal at approximately 06h45 due to ground fire [4]. Maybe this is the same mission ?

According to Squadron Leader Joseph R. Kayll :

« The Squadron was ordered to escort a Blenheim on a low-level reconnaissance of the Albert Canal, to find out how many bridges were still standing. The Blenheim arrived at Merville and we took off together. The Blenheim arrived at Merville fast as a Hurricane and as he turned sharply several times, the outside aircraft were unable to keep up. Finally only myself and Flight Lieutenant Thornley (in a bullet-damaged aircraft) were left as escort, one on each side. The Blenheim pilot was skilled as he flew under the bridges when they were intact and the escort flew over the ends. The only trouble occurred on the way back when we flew low over a large German Army formation, who shot at us with everything they had. The rear gunner of the Blenheim was wounded and I was saved by the armour plate behind my seat »[5].

Finally, in the evening several aircraft take off, alongside No.607 (County of Durham) Squadron [6], for a patrol in the vicinity of Namur.

A fight breaks out with several Bf 110 and Flying Officer Peter N. Murton-Neale (L2035) is shot down, probably by the Leutnant Richard Marchfelder of the Stab II./ZG 1 [7], near Courrière. The unfortunate Peter N. Murton-Neale is killed.

He was a member of No.615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, since his track record dates back to November 1937, and briefly served as B Flight Commander before the arrival of James G. Sanders. He was 23 years old, and now rests at Courrière Cemetery in Belgium [8].

Unfortunately, there is no information on the disappearance of Peter N. Murton-Neale. However, a report by Pilot Officer John R. Lloyd brings some new details [9]. The Hawker Hurricane Mk I would be the P2580 and not the L2035 as cited in the various publications. Three Hawker Hurricanes allegedly took off, with Squadron Leader Joseph R. Kayll, Flying Officer Peter N. Murton-Neale and Pilot Officer John R. Lloyd. The aircraft take off from Vitry-en-Artois late afternoon probably around 17h00 (the disappearance of Peter N. Murton-Neale being recorded around 17:45). Finally, Pilot Officer John R. Lloyd mentions meeting with several Heinkel He.111, about eight kilometers west of Huy. The German bombers then take refuge in cloud (1,500 meters), and it is when emerging from the clouds that the disappearance of the Flying Officer Peter N. Murton-Neale.

The file contains a second interesting document: in this case a letter from his father (AG Murton-Neale) addressed to the Air Ministry on 10 December 1943. It mentions in particular the recovery, through the Red Cross, of a silver cigarette case with two bullet holes.

From there, all the hypotheses remain open.

Possible photograph of the remains of the Hawker Hurricane Mk I P2580 after the unfortunate fights of 13 May 1940.

Current photograph of the field (near Courrière, Belgium) where Flying Officer Peter N. Murton-Neale’s aircraft crashed.