On 31st January 1944, Grumman Hellcat FN410 crashed into high ground at Knockanally, Martinstown, Co. Antrim. The plane took off from R.A.F. Aldergrove, Crumlin, Co. Antrim on a low flying cross-country training exercise. While flying at low altitude, the plane caught fire and flew at high speed into the rising ground. The pilot and sole occupant died in the crash.
The 21-year-old pilot was Sub-Lieutenant Ronald John Corkhill. He was based at H.M.S. Gannet or Royal Naval Air Station Eglinton, Co. Londonderry. The young Sub-Lieutenant was the son of Ronald William Corkhill and Marion Louisa Corkhill of Formby, Lancashire, England. He was the husband of Joan Melody Corkhill of Peaslake, Surrey. Ronald John Corkhill’s grave is in Grave 11 of St. Canice’s Church of Ireland, Faughanvale, Co. Londonderry.