On 18th September 1942 the crew of this 25 O.T.U. aircraft were undertaking a training flight and left Bircotes airfield on the Yorkshire / Nottinghamshire border at 00.40hrs for a night time bombing practice. At 01.30hrs the aircraft had returned to the airfield but had then taken off again (possibly overshooting a landing), it was then seen to climb away but then crash near the village of Tickhill, just inside Yorkshire. The crew of four were sadly killed.
Pilot - Sgt George Nicol RAFVR (1165282), aged 22, of Holton Heath. Buried Wareham Cemetery, Dorset.
Navigator - Sgt Wilfred Bakes RAFVR (1381154), aged 31, of Middleton, Ilkley, Yorkshire. Buried Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley, Yorkshire.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt John Charles Dalton RAFVR (1383216), aged 23, of Lambeth, London. Buried Lambeth Cemetery, London.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Percy Benjamin Elliott Woodham RAFVR (1377795), aged 21, of Deal, Kent. Buried Finningley Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Wellington BJ976 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden, Chester and was awaiting collection in August 1942. It was received by 48 MU on 17th August 1942 and was taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 2nd September 1942. As a result of the crash at Finningley on 18th September 1942 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded on the paperwork. It was written off and was struck off charge on 23rd July 1942.
Percy Woodham attended Dover Grammar School between 1921 and 1927.