The Association has learned of the death of Lt(A) Richard John Lanyon Butterworth RN on 16 February 2016.
From Records
Richard was a pilot who flew with 817 NAS in 1944 – 45 and 812 NAS between 1945 – 47.
From References
Whilst flying Fairey Barracuda MX771 of 817 Squadron, Fearn on 6 June 1945 at Tain, dive bombing a towed target, a flare ignited and hung up on multiple flare rack, set fire to fuselage. The aircraft ditched near launch (S/L RJL Butterworth, S/L Reid & LA W Rawson all picked up OK by launch).