Halifax LW552 near East Moor airfield.

At 19.11hrs on 8th August 1944 this aircraft was taking off for Ops to Foret De Chantilly, in France to bomb an oil storage site. During the take-off run the pilot found the air speed indicator was not functioning but by this stage the aircraft was upto speed and although the pilot closed the throttles and applied the brakes he could not prevent the aircraft from running through the boundary fence, across Sutton Road. The aircraft then ran across two fields before stopping with its undercarriage still intact. It was later dragged back onto the airfield and the crew escaped injury. A mention to a Halifax hitting a lorry and then 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 to Halifax LW552.

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

Flight Engineer - Sgt E Wilson RAF.

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

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

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O P Nelson RCAF.

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

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

The possible route taken by P/O Tinmouth's aircraft before coming to a halt in the fields south of Sutton on Forest (Photo Mr Graham 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 Squadron and was effective from the 29th February 1944 and was Gazetted on 14th March 1944. On 22nd February 1944 F/Sgt Tinmouth's 431 Squadron 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 Squadron. 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."

The recommendation for his DFM reads.. "On his first operational sortie as Captain of a bomber which attacked Berlin on the night of 15th/16th February 1944, the aircraft was attacked on the outward flightby an enemy fighter and sustained damage to the fuselage, oxygen system and electrical equipment. Although the aircraft was without intercommunication and one of the crew was wounded and another had no oxygen, undettered, Flight Sergeant Tinmouth continued and successfully bombed his target. During the return journey, the aircraft was again attacked by enemy night fighters but by his ability to make instant decisions in emergency, skilful pilotage and cool judgement, no further damage was sustained by the aircraft. Throughout, this airman has displayed fine leadership and courage which won the entire confidence of his crew. I recommend that he be awarded an immediate DFM." 25th February 1944.

F/O Tinmouth was also awarded the DFC later in the War whilst serving with 415 Squadron 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."

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 and 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 Squadron. 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 thirty five Operational flights. 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.
Halifax LW552 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4/C by E.E.C. Ltd at Salmesbury, it was delivered to 424 Squadron at Skipton-on-Swale during the last week of January 1944. It was transferred to 432 Squadron at East Moor in April 1944 and served until transfer to 415 Squadron also at East Moor on 15th July 1944. It suffered Cat.A(c) damage in the incident detailed above and was repaired on site probably after being pulled back onto the airfield, 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 later transferred to 1664 HCU at Dishforth in February 1945 but 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 into long term storage at Clifton airfield and eventually struck off charge there as 'sold for scrap' on 14th March 1947. LW552 commenced Ops with 432 Squadron on 26th April 1944, coded "QO-S", replacing LW614. It completed fifteen operational flights with then with 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 Squadron at East Moor on 15th July 1944 and commenced Ops as "6U-S" on 1st August 1944. It completed thirty four operational flights with 415 Squadron with the last being on 2nd February 1945 before being replaced by NR124.