Halifax BB199 near Caldwell, Barnard Castle.
On 16th June 1942 this 76 Squadron aircraft suffered from the port inner engine catching fire while the crew were giving it an air test, the fire quickly spread and the crew were unable to feather the propeller on the damaged engine. A crash landing was made near Layton Fields Farm, half mile south of Caldwell at 11.05hrs but it crashed through trees while attempting to land which caused the rear turret to break away. All of the crew survived the crash despite two being seriously injured but the rear gunner's injuries were the severest and he later died that day. The field where this accident occurred is now referred to locally as "Halifax Field".
Halifax BB199 was built to contract B.124357/40 by London Passenger Transport Board Ltd, at Leavesden and was awaiting collection on 21st March 1942. On 3rd June 1942 it was collected from Leavesden by an ATA pilot, Captain D.Kennard, and was to be ferried join 78 Squadron at Middleton St. George but fifteen minutes into the flight the pilot accidentally opened the top escape hatch whilst reaching for and pulling down the sunshades. The escape hatch flew open and slightly damaged the aircraft (recorded on the AM Form 1180 as being Cat.Ac). The ATA pilot returned to Leavesden and landed safely. It was repaired within three days and 6th June 1942 was then taken on charge by 78 Squadron. The following day it was transferred to 76 Squadron at Middleton St.George to replace one of three Halifaxes lost earlier that week. As a result of the damage a week later on 16th June 1942 the damage was assessed and Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded. After inspection it was struck off charge on 19th June 1942 with less than ten hours total flying hours recorded.
Pilot - P/O R L Perry. Injured.
Flight Engineer - Sgt H Coates.
Navigator - F/Sgt R Scott.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Reginald William Frederick Painter RAFVR (1101255).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O R M Craine RCAF (J/15268).
Air Gunner - Sgt Lawrence Desmond Richardson RAFVR (918303).
Rear Gunner - Sgt Bertie Frederick Hoskins RAFVR (1251169), aged 22, of Kentish Town, London. Died of injuries. Buried Darlington West Cemetery, Durham.
Sgt Painter was soon back in the air as on 22nd June 1942 he was made a PoW flying Halifax W1114 on Ops to Emden when the aircraft was attacked by a night fighter and badly damaged. Five members of his then crew survived by baling out.
Sgt Richardson was also soon back in the air but sadly on 25th June 1942 he was killed when Halifax R9482 crashed immediately after take off from Middleton St.George for an air test. The aircraft appeared to suffer a double engine failure on the port side, climbed to 100 feet, stalled and dived into the ground. Six of the crew were killed on impact and one died later in hospital. He too is buried in Darlington West Cemetery.
Coates, Scott and Craine were posted to North Africa with the 76 Squadron group that later formed 462 Squadron.