Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire.

Lancaster DS635 at East Moor airfield.

In the early evening of 2nd September 1943 a Lancaster of 1679 Heavy Conversion Flight was landing at East Moor, on its approach it lost power in the port outer engine, this caused a swing when the aircraft landed and the undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft caught fire. The crew were reported to have escaped without injury. Only three of their names are currently known.

Pilot - F/Lt John G McNeill DFC RCAF (J/9201), of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Chief Flying Instructor with 1679 HCF.

Pilot - F/O William B Stewart RCAF (J/15486), of New Richmond Station, Province of Quebec, Canada. Uninjured.

? - F/O M Bell, uninjured.

John McNeill RCAF. W/Co John McNeill DFC was killed on 21st August 1944 whilst serving with 415 Squadron, he was twenty five years old. His aircaft Halifax NA609 collided with another Halifax MZ633, both aircraft crashed near West Haddlesey, near Selby, Yorkshire. He is buried at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire. His DFC was gained with 426 Squadron, the Award was effective from 6th August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13th August 1943. He was born in Calgary in 1919 and was a former member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. He enlisted to the RCAF in Kingston, Ontario on 10th June 1940 and was Commissioned 1941. The DFC was presented at Buckingham Palace on 11th August 1944. The citation reads..

"The fine fighting spirit displayed by this officer has been an inspiration to the rest of the squadron. He has taken part in may recent heavy raids on the Ruhr and on one occasion in April 1943 completed his mission successfully although one engine failed while his aircraft was hotly engaged by the defences. As deputy flight commander he has rendered valuable assistance in the operational training of new crews and has contributed much to the high morale maintained in the squadron."

William Stewart was later promoted to S/Ldr and was sadly killed in action on 13th June 1944 in 408 Squadron Lancaster DS726 that was shot down on Ops to Cambrai, the aircraft crashed near Seranvillers-Forenville. He is buried Seranvillers-Forenville Military Cemetery.

Lancaster DS635 was built to contract ACFT/239 by Armstrong Whitworth at Baginton and delivered to MU store in November 1942. It was issued to 115 Squadron at East Wretham on 30th April 1943 before being transferred to 1679 HCU at East Moor on 12th June 1943. Following this incident damage was recorded as being Cat.E2/FA Burnt. It was struck off charge on 3rd September 1943.