Whitley Z6796 hit by flak, returned to Topcliffe airfield.

On the night of 6/7th September 1941 the crew of this aircraft were tasked with Ops to Huls and left Topcliffe at 20.56hrs. They bombed a built up area near Haltern from 7,000ft but the aircraft was hit by flak. On the return trip the aircraft suffered "exactor" trouble but the aircraft landed without further damage at Topcliffe at 04.40hrs.

Pilot - P/O Harry M Williams RAFVR (66508), of Brook (near Rochester?).

2nd Pilot - William B Archibald RAFVR (533809). Of Tobago, West Indies.

Sgt Kenneth Harwood-Smith RAFVR (918371), of Upper Norwood, Surrey.

WOp/AG - Sgt Frederick A Braybrook RAF (746719), of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Sgt Robert Brown RAFVR (1100635), of South Shields, Co.Durham.

AG - Sgt Thomas O McIlquham RCAF (R/67064), of Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada.

Twenty six year old F/Lt Williams died on 14th April 1942. He is buried in Smeeth Churchyard, Kent. His brother Lionel was also killed in the service of his country. Harry Williams was the pilot of Halifax R9488 that crashed at Baldersby, Thirsk with the loss of all crew and detailed on this website.
Sgt Harwood-Smith was in Whitley Z6820 on 7/8th November 1941 on Ops to Berlin and posted missing. He was 23 years old and is commemerated on the Runnymede Memorial. His younger brother P/O Norman Harwood-Smith was also killed in RAF service. He was lost on 10th August 1940 flying with 82 Squadron and is also on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt Brown was flying in Whitley Z6796 on 7/8th November 1941 on Ops to Berlin. He is commemerated on the Runnymede Memorial, he was 29 years old.
F/Sgt Archibald was later posted to 35 Squadron and lost on 30th March 1942 in Halifax R9496 while trying to sink the Tirpitz. He is buried in Trondheim Cemetery, Norway. As yet research is ongoing as to whether he was one of a small number of black Caribbean airmen flying in the RAF or his parents were white in the Caribbean living or working. Prior to joining the RAF he attended Bedford Modern School.
Thomas McIlquham was born in Carleton Place in 1911, he enlisted into the RCAF in July 1940. He was involved in a number of mishaps before completing a Tour with 102 Squadron for which he was awarded the DFM in July 1942. Hugh Halliday's research states that on one occasion the aircraft he was in blew up and his turret landed in a haystack saving his life. The citation for the DFM reads.."One night in May this airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. His aircraft was attacked by a Focke Wulfe 190. Sergeant McIlquham waited until the fighter was within short range and then opened fire. Upon a second attack being made he fired a long burst which sent the enemy aircraft spinning to the ground. Later the same night Flight Sergeant McIlquham destroyed another Focke Wulfe 190. One night in June he was the rear gunner of a bomber detailed to attack Bremen. His aircraft was attacked by a Messerschmitt 109. He fired two bursts and the enemy aircraft broke away and fell out of control with the engine on fire. Flight Sergeant McInquham is a cool and skilful air gunner whose courage and determination are an inspiration to the squadron." His award was presented at Buckingham Palace in November 1942, soon after he was posted back to Canada on instructional duties, 102 Squadron veteran Ed Cooke recalls, in an internet posting, this was rumoured to be because he used to take a high powered light with him in the rear turret to lure enemy aircraft in try and pick them off. He was later commissioned in October 1943 and survived the War. He sadly drowned in January 1956 after trying to rescue his son after his lorry went through the ice into Mississippi Lake on a fishing trip. He was undoubtably a very skillful air gunner.
Fred Braybrook was awarded the DFM for completing a Tour with 102 Squadron, (Gazetted in January 1942) the citation reads.."This airman's ability as a wireless operator-air gunner has contributed much to the success of the missions in which he has been engaged. Many of these have been undertaken in bad weather against targets at long distances. His cheerful enthusiasm, coolness under fire, and determined disposition have inspired all wireless operators and other aircrews in the squadron." He was commissioned on 26th October 1942 and later posted to 156 Squadron PFF for a second tour but was killed on 17th January 1943 flying in Halifax W7886 which crashed in Denmark. He was 22 years old.