On 25th September 1939 this 220 Squadron Anson took off at 16.20hrs to undertake a convoy escort of Convoy FN10. On their return to base at 19.45hrs the aircraft overshot on landing at Thornaby and ran through the boundary hedge, it damaged the undercarriage. Repair was considered but not carried out.
Pilot - P/O Cameron William McNeill RAF (41043), of Chesley, Ontario, Canada.
Observer - F/O Charles Philip Wright RAF (39427).
McNeill and Wright, taken from 220 Squadron photo 4th April 1939 at Bircham Newton. Both had been on Anson K8825 which was slightly damaged at Thornaby earlier in the month.
Cameron McNeill was Canadian but had enlisted into the RAF before the war begun and received a commission in June 1939. He was flying a reconnaissance flight over a German port on 3rd September 1939 when his wireless operator reported that war had been declared and was the pilot that first spotted the Altmark in February 1940. He would fly more than 100 operational flights. He was promoted to F/O on 3rd September 1940, F/Lt exactly a year later in September 1941 and to (temporary) S/Ldr on 1st January 1944. He later relinquished his commission on 12th June 1944 on appointment to the RCAF. He then served for a further thirty years in the RCAF before retiring as a Cononel. As part of his service he was awarded the Atlantic and Pacific Stars. He then became a member of staff for the National Academy of Sciences in Washington. He died in July 2004 in Georgetown, Washington.
Charles Wright's commission and promotion to F/O have not yet been located, he later rose to F/Lt on 3rd September 1940, and later to S/Ldr. He was Commended for Brave Conduct on 1st June 1943. Post War he remained in the RAF until leaving the Reserve of Officers in April 1959 as Squadron Leader.
Anson K6202 was built to contract 353855/34 by A.V.Roe Ltd at Woodford and was delivered to 220 Squadron at Bircham Newton on 7th September 1936 where it was coded "-E". It was then
transferred to RAE Farnborough on 10th August 1937 for radio screening trails before returning to 220 Squadron at Bircham Newton on 9th September 1937. It was later sent to A.V.Roe Ltd at Woodford on 31st August 1938 for modifications. It again returned to 220 Squadron at Bircham Newton on 23rd September 1938 where it was now coded "HU-E". The unit moved to Thornaby on 21st August 1939 and it suffered Cat.R/FA damage in the incident detailed above. After assessment it was deemed Cat.W and struck off charge on 22nd November 1939.