Wellington Z1182 near Howden.
At 04.37hrs on 6th January 1942 this 458 Squadron aircraft took off from Holme on Spalding Moor airfield to undertake an operational flight to bomb a target at Brest. Eight minutes later the aircraft crashed into a field near North Howden railway station because of ice and snow that had stuck on the aircraft surfaces and the aircraft was unable to climb properly. It was thought that although the snow was removed prior to take off melting snow had frozen after taking off. The bombs had been jettisoned just before the crash. Sadly two of the crew died as a result of the incident.
Wellington Z1182 was built to contract B.97887/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Chester (Hawarden) and was awaiting collection on 2nd June 1941. It was immediately placed in storage with 48 MU at Hawarden the same day. On 13th September 1941 it was taken on charge by 458 Squadron based at Holme on Spalding Moor. As a result of the crash on 6th January 1942 Cat.E2 damage was the assessment. It was struck off charge six days later when the paperwork was complete and had flown a total time of just over 72 hours since new. Historians Eric Barton, Albert Pritchard and Ken Reast sought permission from the landowner of the general area of the crash site around the year 2000 and then field walked the area locating fragments of the aircraft on the surface to confirm the location. Unfortunately the records I have of Eric's do not give a date for their visit.
Pilot - P/O Harold Maxwell Moran RAAF (400596). Injured.
Second Pilot - P/O David Norris Carmichael RAAF (403040), aged 26, of Mosman, New South Wales, Australia. Buried Holme on Spalding Moor Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Rear Gunner - F/O Edward John Norman MacDonald RAAF (404346), aged 27, of Brisbane, Queensland, Austrlia. Buried Holme on Spalding Moor Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Observer - Sgt Donald Bottomley RAFVR (987758). Injured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James George Barlow RAFVR (960943). Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt W R Darling RNZAF (NZ.40720). Injured.
Edward MacDonald was born on 17th November 1914 in Brisbane and enlisted there.
David Carmicheal was born on 7th January 1915 in Narrandera, New South Wales. He enlisted in Sydney.
James Barlow and Donald Bottomley were both killed on 2nd August 1942, both were twenty two years old
and are buried Tel el Kebir Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. They were both inside Wellington DV644 of 37 Squadron which was struck
by Boston AL696 of 24 (SAAF) Squadron at Abu Sueir, Egypt. Both Barlow and Bottomley had gone to the Wellington to place
flying gear inside prior to taking off and were killed. Their pilot P/O Moran had not opted to go to the aircraft and
was clear of the collision and ensuing fire. F/Sgt Darling was also in the aircraft at the time and escaped with serious leg injuries.
Harold Moran was born on 27th September 1917 in Ballan, Victoria. He enlisted in Melbourne on 18th September 1940. He was posted into 458 Squadron from 11 OTU
on 14th September 1941 and later to the Middle East with the unit on 6th July 1942 on recovery from his injuries, and attached to 37 Squadron on 13th July 1942 and
later to 38 Squadron on 15th June 1943. He arrived back in Australia in October 1944 having risen in rank to Acting S/Ldr, he later served with 24 (RAAF) Squadron
before being de-mobbed in 1946.