Whitley T4150 at Harpham, Driffield.

In the early hours of 15th October 1940 the crew on this Whitley were returning from Ops to Stettin, the aircraft ran low on fuel and crash landed at 05.10hrs near Harpham, some five miles west of Driffield. As can be seen in the photograph below, the aircraft ran through a hedge and lost part of its starboard wing. The crew escaped injury.

Pilot - F/O B Brooke

Second Pilot - Sgt C S Halley RAAF

Observer - Sgt Henderson

Wireless Operator - Sgt Alexander P Collie RAF (967329)

Air Gunner - Sgt Guest

Whitley T4150 in the field near Harpham (photo via Graham Sharpe).

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F/O Brooke and Sgt's Halley and Henderson found themselves having to ditch Whitley P5058 in the River Humber on 20th October 1940 and all were rescued.

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Sgt Collie was awarded the DFM for service with 58 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th June 1941.

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Whitley T4150 was a replacement for Whitley N1392 at 58 Squadron but reason for this is not known. It was built to contract 38599/39 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 11th August 1940. It was taken on charge shortly after this date by 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. On 15th October 1940 it sustained Cat.W/FB damage following this accident near Driffield.