Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire.

Whitley N1470 near Youlton, Easingwold.

On the evening of 24th September 1940 this aircraft lost power on take off for Ops to Berlin and was put down in a field at just before 21.00hrs near Youlton, not far from Linton on Ouse's northern boundary. The aircraft caught fire and the bombs exploded damaging a cottage and farm buildings. Three of the crew were killed and two injured.

Pilot - Sgt Herbert Cornish RAF (580050), aged ? Buried Standish Churchyard, Lancashire.

Second Pilot - F/O Arnold Irwin Watterson RAF (41638), aged 23, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Cremated Harrogate, Yorkshire.

Observer - Sgt Leslie Hambleton Taylor RAF (581192), aged 19, of Whatton-in-the-Vale. Buried Nottingham Southern Cemetery.

Wireless Operator - Sgt Fowlie. Injured.

Air Gunner - Sgt John William Chamberlain RAF (651713), of Croyden, Surrey. Injured.

Arnold Watterson enlisted with the RAF on 21st October 1938 and received his commission on an unknown date, probably in late 1938 or early 1939 to the rank of Acting P/O on probation. He was graded as P/O on probation on 3rd September 1939 and confirmed as P/O on 31st October 1939. He was promoted to F/O on 3rd September 1940. CWGC list his rank incorrectly as being P/O on their online database.

Sgt Chamberlain recovered from his injuries. He was posted missing after Whitley T4159 crashed into the Channel off Torbay on 23rd December 1940. Killed in this incident was Sgt James Rowlands. I was contacted by his nephew in August 2009 but sadly was unable to add much to his research, never the less I thank him for his contact.

Whitley N1470 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 29th December 1939. It was first passed into MU storage until being issued to 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse in March 1940 when the unit converted from Whitley MkIII's to MkV's. It sustained flak damage on Ops on 16/17th May 1940 and after the crew were able to return to Linton the aircraft (Cat.M/FB damage recorded) and was repaired on site and soon returned to the unit. On 5th August 1940 it was slightly damaged while taxying at Linton on Ouse and Cat.M damage was recorded, again it was repaired on site and returned to the unit. Later in the year on 24th September 1940 it crashed near Youlton and was written off as a result of this final accident with Cat.W/Burnt damage recorded.