During the evening of 20th December 1940 the crew of this 600 Squadron aircraft took off from Catterick airfield to undertake a training flight that included an aspect of practicing intercepting other aircraft, simulating intercepting approaching enemy aircraft. A new "Masquerade" coding system was being used by those on the ground to let pilots know the rough heights they were flying at and this flight may have been flown to give the pilot practcice in using this system. The visibility once in the air became poor and eventually the crew misplaced where they were. The aircraft flew into the area to the west of Catterick and over the high ground of the Pennine hills. In descending through cloud to work out their position the aircraft then flew into the ground at 20.10hrs on Skelton Moor, not far from Green House Farm (now known as High Greenas farm), near the hamlet of Hurst, west of Richmond. The aircraft was completely destroyed and one crew member killed in the crash. The other airman was seriously injured, he was transported to Catterick Military Hospital but died at 10.20hrs on 26th December 1940. It was thought that the pilot had become muddled using the new Masquerade system in trying to work out the height he was actually flying at the height in which is should have been flying in order to avoid any high ground beneath. he had been informed that he was at 1,500 feet by a new code word but it was thought that he had mis-interpreted this to have been 2,500ft. He therefore probably assumed that he had enough height to be able to descend over land he thought he was over. The investigation recommended that changes were made to the new system.
Blenheim L1467 was built to contract 527114/36 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. at Filton and was awaiting collection in December 1938. It was then delivered directly to 64 Squadron at Church Fenton on 20th December 1938. It was placed in storage with 20 MU at Aston Down on 3rd July 1940. It was later issued to 600 Squadron at Catterick on 16th November 1940. In the incident above it sustained Cat.W/FA damage and was struck off charge on 31st December 1940. At the time of the accident its is believed to have been coded "BQ-W".
Pilot - Sgt Thomas Norman Wilson RAFVR (754004), aged 20. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Air Gunner - P/O George Henry Holmes DFM RAFVR (84682), aged 26. Died 26th December 1940. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.
George Holmes was born on 4th February 1914 at Dalston, London and was the son of George Henry Charles and Florence May (nee Daniel) Holmes. His father was killed with the 2nd Btn, Suffok Regiment on 18th June 1917, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. George married Joyce Marguerite Murden in the last quarter of 1940 in the Uxbridge district. George Holmes flew with 600 Squadron during both the Battle's of France and Britain. On 10th May 1940 he was flying as air gunner with P/O Hayes as pilot in a Blenheim during the attack on Rotterdam airfield. 600 Squadron sent up six aircraft tasked with attacking the same target however five of the six did not return with the loss of seven airmen. Hayes/Holmes' Blenheim was the only one to return to base but had suffered damage by intense enemy fire and the crew became handicapped by the fumes from a burst fuel tank, Holmes directed his pilot through the necessary evasive manoeuvres and was largely responsible for the aircraft surviving. For his actions he was awarded an immediate DFM, Gazetted on 24th May 1940. The citation for his DFM reads.. "800513 Corporal George Henry HOLMES. This airman was air gunner in one of six aircraft which attacked Rotterdam aerodrome in May, 1940. After the attack, the formation was engaged from astern by twelve Messerschmitt 110's. Corporal Holmes displayed coolness and initiative in advising his pilot how best to manoeuvre his aircraft to evade the enemy. Even when handicapped by petrol fumes from a tank burst by enemy action, he continued to give accurate information. His gallant conduct under intense fire was largely responsible for the pilot being able to take evasive action and to bring the aircraft safely home."
His pilot, P/O Thomas Norman Hayes, was awarded an immediate DFC for his actions on the same raid, this citation adds further details and reads.."This officer was pilot of one of six aircraft which attacked Rotterdam aerodrome in May 1940. In company with his commanding officer he destroyed a Junkers 52 on the aerodrome by machine-gun fire. Whilst climbing, after the dive, the formation was attacked by twelve Messerschmitt 110's. Flying Officer Hayes was unable to see the enemy aircraft himself, but he skilfully manoeuvred his aircraft on instructions from the air gunner. After a short while he sighted a Junkers 52 and although hard pressed by superior numbers of other enemy aircraft and with his own aircraft damaged, Flying Officer Hayes attacked the Junkers 52 with tenacity and determination until it was seen to go down with its port engine on fire. Breaking, off the engagement and skilfully evading his opponents he made for home but shortly encountered three Heinkel 111's. He courageously attacked with his remaining ammunition and succeeded in breaking up their formation before arriving safely at his base." He received a commission on 19th August 1940 (with seniority of 8th August 1940) to the rank of P/O on probation. He was still flying with 600 Squadron when this accident near Richmond occurred in December 1940.
Thomas Wilson was born on 27th February 1920 at Gravesend, Kent and was the son of Thomas and Dorothy Ethel (nee Trice) Wilson. His father was born in Barrow in Furness, Lancashire and his mother was born at Devonport, Devon. He attended what was later renamed Gravesend Grammar School and in 1937 he started work in the offices of the British Vegetable Parchment Mills. Thomas was a member of the RAFVR when the 1939 Register was compiled.
I located small fragments on the surface at the crash site in June 2007 over a reasonably wide in the area.
A Bristol part number found on one of the tiny pieces still at the crash site.