Halifax near East Moor airfield.

Late in the day on the 8th of August 1944 this aircraft was taking off for Ops to Foret De Chantilly (an oil storage site) at 19.11hrs when during the take off run the pilot found the air speed indicator was not fuctioning. The aircraft was by this stage up to speed and although the pilot closed the throttles and applied the brakes he could not prevent the aircaft from running through the boundary fence and across Sutton Road and running across two fields before stopping with its under-carriage still intact. The crew escaped injury. A mention to a Halifax crashing at the rear of Sutton Hall, Sutton on Forest in a Yorkshire Evening Press publication (published in the mid-1990s) probably relates to this incident.

Halifax LW552 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4/C by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury, it was delivered to 424 Sqdn at Skipton-on-Swale during the last week of January 1944. It was transferred to 432 Sqdn at east Moor in April 1944 and served until transfer to 415 Sqdn also at East Moor on 15th July 1944. It suffered Cat. A(c) damage in the incident detailed above and was repaired on site, and apparently the hardest part of the task was recovering the aircraft to the airfield's hard surface without damaging the undercarriage. Repairs were completed by the 18th August 1944. It was transferred to 1664 HCU at Dishforth on an as yet unspecified date in early February 1945. 1664 HCU disbanded on 6th April 1945 and it was soon transferred to 1659 HCU at Topcliffe but it is unlikely that the aircraft was ever used here as this unit was, by May 1945, an all Lancaster HCU. In may 1945 it was flown to long term storage at Clifton and eventually struck off charge as 'sold for scrap' on 14th March 1947. LW552 commenced Ops with 432 Sqdn on 26th April 1944, coded "QO-S", replacing LW614. It completed 15 Ops, and the last being on 14th June 1944. The aircraft was removed from Ops for a major service and in early July 1944 replaced by NP701 (which carried the code "QO-S"). It was officially transferred to 415 Sqdn at East Moor on 15th July 1944 and commenced Ops as "6U-S" on 1st August 1944. It completed 34 Ops with 415 Sqdn, the last being on 2nd ] February 1945 before being replaced by NR124.

Pilot - P/O Anthony (Tony) W Tinmouth DFM RCAF (J/85325), of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Ok.

FEng - Sgt E Wilson RAF,

Nav - F/Sgt Abraham L Richardson RCAF, of Union Bay, British Columbia, Canada. Ok.

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Luigi E Todero RCAF, of Fort William, Canada. Ok.

WOp/AG - P/O P Nelson RCAF

Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt Arthur Crosswell RCAF, of Parry Sound, Canada. Ok.

Rear Gunner - Sgt William (Bill) John Walton DFM RCAF (R/123425), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ok.

Possible route taken by Tinmouth's aircraft before coming to a halt in the fields south of Sutton on Forest (Photo Mr G Sharpe).

Tony Tinmouth was born in Limerick, Ireland on 15th January 1924 but moved to Canada and attended a Catholic High School in Montreal. His home being in Harring Cove (or Fairview) in Nova Scotia where he was a clerk when he enlisted in Montreal on the 24th October 1941. Having completed initial training in Canada he sailed for the UK in Autumn 1942. His bomber training began at Wellesbourne Mountford at their OTU, he was posted to Yorkshire and completed his HCU training at Wombleton with 1666 HCU. F/Sgt Tinmouth's DFM was gained with 431 Sqdn and was effective from the 29th February 1944 and was Gazetted on 14th March 1944. On 22nd February 1944 F/Sgt Tinmouth's 431 Sqdn Halifax LK626 iced up on a training flight, he attempted to reach Hawarden airfield but was forced to landnear Pentre, Flintshire. No injuries were reported. Later in the year he was Commissioned and posted to 415 Sqdn. His DFM was presented by King George VI on 11th August 1944. The citation for his DFM reads...

""One night in February 1944, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. On the outward flight the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and sustained damage to the fuselage, the oxygen supply system, the wireless apparatus and other equipment. The inter-communication system was also rendered unserviceable. Undeterred, Flight Sergeant Tinmouth went on to the target and pressed home his attack. On the return flight the bomber was intercepted by more fighters but by his skill, good judgement and resource Flight Sergeant Tinmouth brought his aircraft home without sustaining further damage. On this, his first sortie as captain, this airman displayed a high standard of leadership, courage and determination.""

F/O Tinmouth was also awarded a DFC later in the War whilst serving with 415 Sqdn at East Moor. This Award became effective 6th January 1945. The Award was presented on 5th October 1946 and the citation reads..

""Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal this officer has taken part in many operational missions against some of the enemy's most heavily defended targets. An outstanding captain of aircraft, he has always displayed great courage and devotion to duty."" Perhaps oddly Brian Shields in his "East Moor Experience book credits Tinmouth as having his DFC presnted by King George VI on 11th August 1944 at Linton.

Tony Tinmouth left the RCAF in May 1945 and was undoubtable a fine bomber pilot, he returned home to Lachine. He later graduated from McGill University with an Engineering degree. He appears to have joined 2450 Aircraft Control and Warning (Aux) Squadron but gave up this in 1958. He married through internet research he had four children. He was still living in 2001.

Sgt Bill Walton's DFM was awarded for his efforts on the same night as F/Sgt Tinmouth's with 431 Sqdn. The award became effective on 21st March 1944. His home was in Toronto where he enlisted on 8th August 1941. His DFM was presented on 17th June 1945. He sustained severe frostbite and was hospitalised following the trip. The citation reads..

""This airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin one night in February 1944. Before the target was reached the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and sustained damage. The inter-communication system was put out of action and the rear turret was rendered unserviceable. Although deprived of the use of oxygen and the means of heating, Sergeant Walton refused to vacate his turret. He suffered intensely on the homeward flight but maintained his vigilance and enabled his pilot to evade enemy aircraft on three occasions. This airman displayed great fortitude, determination and devotion to duty, setting a worthy example.""

Abraham Richardson was born in Cumberland, British Columbia in 1921. He was working as a fireman in Union Bay when he enlisted in Vancouver in April 1942. He was recommended for the DFC in mid-October 1944 after he had flown 35 Ops. The award became effective on 6th January 1945 but was not presented until 22nd October 1949 in Vancouver. This recommendation reads..

""Pilot Officer Richardson has participated in numerous operational sorties against heavily defended enemy targets and has consistently displayed a high standard of navigational skill. This officer during these sorties has through his skill on several occasions guided his aircraft safely to and from the target despite diversions due to enemy activity. Pilot Officer Richardson in addition to his navigational skill has set a fine example to his crew and squadron by his constant display of cheerfulness and determination.""

DFM/DFC research credits to Hugh Halliday.