Halifax DT785 at Thornaby airfield.

On 4th April 1943 this aircraft left Melbourne airfield at 20.21hrs for Ops to Kiel. Whilst near the target area it was damaged by a Junkers Ju88 night-fighter. On its return to the UK the crew were diverted to land at Thornaby and while on the final approach to land all four engines cut out at 500 feet, the aircraft crash landed on the eastern side of the airfield just short of the runway at 02.31hrs on 5th April 1943. Cat.E/FB damage was sustained to the aircraft but the crew are not thought to have been injured.

Halifax DT785 was built to contract B982938/39 by English Electric Co. at Salmesbury and delivered to 10 Squadron in February 1943.

Pilot - Sgt Ronald C Williams DFC RAFVR (1377791).

Flight Eng - Sgt William Laverick RAF (545207), of West Cornforth, Co.Durham.

Navigator - Sgt Joseph Hooson RAFVR (1206791), of Shirley, Derbyshire.

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Eric J Stone RAFVR (1332888), of Walcot-on-Sea, Norfolk.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt R H G Wray RAF.

Air Gunner - Sgt H C Redman RAF.

Air Gunner - Sgt J Smith RAF.

On 29th December 1943 F/O Williams DFC (146333), Sgt Laverick DFM, P/O Hooson DFM (158427) and F/O Stone DFC were killed when their 35 Squadron Halifax HR986 crashed near Doberitz, they were initially buried locally but now lay in Berlin War Cemetery. F/O Williams' DFC was awarded in December 1940.

Ronald Williams received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 10th May 1943. He rose to F/O on probation (war subs) on 10th November 1943. His DFC was Gazetted on 18th January 1944 while serving with 35 Squadron.

Joseph Hooson received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 30th August 1943.

Sgt Laverick's DFM was Gazetted on 16th November 1943 while serving with 35 Squadron.

Eric Stone received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 10th May 1943. His DFC was Gazetted on 16th November 1943 while serving with 35 Squadron.