Wellington R1073 near Lindholme airfield.
On 11th June 1942 the crew of this 25 O.T.U. aircraft were to carry out a basic circuits and landings exercise at Lindholme airfield and took off from Finningley at 13.00hrs.
Before any of the proposed landings could be made the aircraft went out of control and dived into ground just east of Canberra Cottage Farm close to the Lindholme's
boundary at 13.15hrs. Both airmen on board were sadly killed.
Wellington R1073 was built to contract 992424/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in September 1940. It was received by 22 MU on 21st September 1940 and then was taken on charge by 110 Squadron on 20th April 1941. The aircraft was transferred to 25 O.T.U. on 11th June 1941. On 19th August 1941 it was damaged in a minor flying accident, Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and a repair on site was begun on 22nd August 1941. It was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 13th September 1941. As a result of the crash near Lindholme on 11th June 1942 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off. It was struck off charge on 19th June 1942.
Pilot - Sgt Brian Edwin Rooke RAFVR (934159), aged 20, of Fetcham, Surrey. Buried Finningley Churchyard Extension, Yorkshire.
Air Bomber - Sgt Basil Everard Francis Jones RAFVR (778684), aged 20, of Zimbabwe. Buried Finningley Churchyard Extension, Yorkshire.
Brian Rooke attended Harrow County School between 1933-37. He started a career as a journalist before he enlisted into the RAFVR.
Basil Jones was born on 10th March 1923, he attended Plumtree School, Zimbabwe from 1936 to 1940. He worked in gold mining at West Nicholson,
Zimbabwe before joining the RAF.
