Wellington W5431 at Driffield airfield.
On the night of 10th / 11th March 1942 the crew of this 158 Squadron aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Essen, they set out from Driffield at 19.34hrs and after dropping their bombs over the target area they made for home. On their return to Driffield at 02.50hrs the aircraft crashed and caught fire and sadly five of the crew were either killed in the crash or were unable to escape the burning aircraft. The rear gunner's life was saved by Cpl J W Hughes who smashed his way into the rear of the aircraft to free him. The rear gunner later returned to operational flying. Cpl Hughes was later awarded an entry in the Notable War Service Dispatch on 11th May 1942 for his actions in the rescue.
Pilot - F/Lt George Gordon Duff DFC RAFVR (89378), aged 24, of South Africa. Buried Driffield Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Second Pilot - Sgt Colin Albert Cornwell RAAF (402731), aged 22, of Narrabeen, New South Wales, Australia. Buried Driffield Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Observer - P/O Douglas Albert Edward Clarke RAFVR (115725), aged 24, of Stratford, London. Buried Woodgrange Cemetery, East Ham, London.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Harry James Evans RAFVR (1051922), aged 21, of Maghull. Buried Maghull Churchyard, Lancashire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Leslie James Caldwell RAFVR (1166513), aged 22, of Tansley Rectory. Buried Tansley Churchyard, Derbyshire.
Rear Gunner - Sgt Eric William Clark RAF (1260120). Seriously injured.
F/Lt Duff's and Sgt Cornwell's graves in Driffield Cemetery.
George Duff received a commission on 21st December 1940 to the rank of Pilot Officer on probation (with seniority back-dated to 6th December 1940) rising to F/O on 14th January
1941 (with seniority again back dated to 6th December 1941). His rank was technically Acting F/Lt at the time of his death in March 1942 but it appears that acting-ranks were confirmed
upon death. He was awarded the DFC (Gazetted on 30th September 1941) for his actions flying with 115 Squadron earlier in the month. The citation for the award reads.."One night in
September 1941, this officer was the captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a target at Turin. On the outward journey, it became apparent that, owing to a technical fault, it was
not possible to use the fuel in the reserve petrol tank. In spite of the long and difficult flight ahead, Pilot Officer Duff decided to continue his mission and, by skilful control
of his engines, thus conserving his fuel, was able to reach and bomb his objective and return safely to base. On a previous occasion, Pilot Officer Duff successfully searched for a
dinghy some eighty miles from the English coast. He flew over the position for three hours, until he was relieved. This officer has carried out thirty operational missions and has
displayed exceptional ability, keenness and courage throughout." He completed a Tour with 115 Squadron and was later posted to 158 Squadron.
Colin Caldwell was born on 27th January 1920 in Randwick, Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted in Sydney on 14th October 1940 and at the time he was studying to gain
clerical qualifications, he was also working as a clerical assistant in the Commonwealth Dept. of Health. After initial training in Canada he was posted to the UK and continued
his training with 22 OTU, arriving here on 21st July 1941. He was posted to 104 Squadron on 20th September 1941 and flew with them until 158 Squadron formed out of part of 104 Squadron.
Douglas Clarke had been commissioned on 26th January 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). His younger brother Sgt Edward W J Clarke had served with 83 Squadron
in the RAFVR and sadly died on active service just six months prior to this accident. On 25th August 1941 Edward Clarke was on board Hampden AE223 which had landed at Scampton
with a bomb hung-up, the bomb then fell out after landing, exploded and left its crew and a number of ground-crew dead. Both brothers are buried in a joint grave in their local
cemetery in London.
Sgt Eric Clark recovered from his injuries and was made a PoW at the end of July 1942 when 158 Squadron Halifax W1190 failed to return from Ops to Dusseldorf.
Wellington W5431 was built to contract B.71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Weybridge and was awaiting collection in February 1941. On 15th February 1941 it was flown to 51 M.U. at Lichfield but was found to have been damaged or unservicable because it was inspected there by 43 Group D.A. and deemed in need of repair. It was probably repaired on site and returned to 51 M.U. The date it was then taken on charge by 104 Squadron at Driffield is not given on it's AM Form 78. As a result of minor damage there on 28th July 1941 Cat.A(c)/FA damage and it was repaired on site. On 7th December 1941 the aircraft was at a Vickers facility for repair. On 8th March 1942 it was taken on charge by 158 Squadron at Driffield where it carried the code "NP-W". On 10th March 1942 it crashed on landing at Driffield on return from an operational flight to Essen. Cat.E2/FB Burnt damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge the same day. The aircraft had clocked up just over 175 hours in the air in total.