Post on Facebook Shared by Frederick Galea on 24/02/2023
More scuba-dives on the sunken wreck of the Bristol Beaufort took place between 12-24 October 1992, by a group of RAF divers out from the UK, led by Master Engineer Phil Nobbs; Chief Tech Chris Manning, Sqn Ldr John Sadler, Flt Lt Mark Istance, WO Dave Whitehall, Sgts Ian Woodcock, Martin Marle, Al Murrie, Cpls Reg Banks, Andy King, Al Middlemiss, SAC Roy Hemming, Flt Lt (rtd) Graham Fairhurst and Miss Jo Reilly, their purpose was to discover the Beaufort’s identity.
Paul Sciberras of Dive Systems and myself, who knew the location of the wreck-site, took the team on site as they were unaware of its location and, notwithstanding the rough weather prevailing that day, we dropped them exactly on the wreck. They recovered a wing-mounted Browning 303” machine-gun and fizzing ammo, plus items from four personal kit bags still in situ. This was possible as Paul and I prepared air-lifts for sand removal from within the cabin which then revealed the kitbags.
A shoe brush from within one of the bags had a service number stamped on it, and this later corresponded to that of its owner Ernest Moody, when still a sergeant. A service revolver, still in its holster, was recovered, all ‘fossilised’ by time and sea-salt. This was placed in one of the National War Museum’s showcases, which was shortly after broken into and the gun stolen!!!
In the meantime I had corresponded with Roy Nesbit, an authority on Bristol aircraft, and together we narrowed down the list of known ‘lost’ Beaufort aircraft. If my memory serves me well, it was down to a Taurus-engined Mk Ia.
Later, following the group’s return to the UK, on 2 October 1993, at St Mawgan, Cornwall, Plt Off Ernest Moody, pilot of DW805, was reunited with his cap badge, his commissioned one from his forage cap, fork and spoon plus shoe brush, all from his own kitbag.
NOTE: Today, in place is Maltese legislation protecting underwater cultural heritage.
