Oxfordshire metal detectorist seeks family of Spitfire crash pilot

Danny Jones, 58, an engineer from Henley, has found more than 1,500 components of the aircraft near his home in Oxfordshire since March 2021.

Danny Jones, a metal detectorist from Henley (Image: Danny Jones)

His finds include parts from the Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine, the hydraulics system and a clock from the plane’s cockpit.

Using records from the National Archives, Sylwester Godlewski, identified as the Polish pilot who was killed in the crash during a high-altitude training exercise in May 1942.

Mr Godlewski was born on October 27, 1915, in Warsaw, Poland.

He died when he was 27 years old while flying the Supermarine Spitfire mark 2B flown by the 302 Polish Squadron.

Danny Jones has discovered around 1,500 components from the crash (Image: Danny Jones)

He said: “It was exciting finding it because I knew it was from an aircraft but I didn’t know if it was commercial or military.

“It was only when I started searching the crash site again that I found painted parts and realised it was a military aircraft.

“Originally, the painted parts I was finding were a bluey-colour, so I thought it was a German aircraft but through forums, archives and the Ministry of Defence it came together and I found who the pilot and the aircraft was.”

Once he discovered Mr Godlewski’s name, he found more details including an image and his grave in Northwood Cemetery, where he lies among 53 other Polish pilots.

He said: “When you read a book, you try imagine a face for the person. All of a sudden I had a face so I didn’t have to do that anymore.

“I have been to his cemetery in Middlesex two or three times and I always remember him on Remembrance Sunday.”

Danny Jones has discovered around 1,500 components from the crash (Image: Danny Jones)

An auction house in Kent sold Godlewski’s personal possessions last year, including his diaries, dog tags and personal photographs for around £3,000.

He said: “I asked the auction house to get in touch with the seller, who may or may not be family, and the buyer so I could look at some of the artefacts.

“It’s an amazing twist that stuff that I have never seen or knew existed were given back to someone and auctioned off.”

Now, Mr Jones wants to track down the family to show them the crash site and their ancestor’s grave at Northwood Cemetery in the London borough of Hillingdon.

He said: “I hope in my heart that he is still remembered by his decedents but it has been 84 years since he was killed but if not I want to bring him and his story back to life and explain how proud I am of him of what he gave for us.”