At 00.30hrs on 30th August 1943 this 82 O.T.U. aircraft swung on take off for a dual night-time training flight, the aircraft left the runway and the undercarriage almost certainly collapsed. The damage sustained later wrote the aircraft off after assessment. At face value this incident would just read as a regular minor mishap on a training flight but the instructor's life after the war is perhaps the most interesting, detailed in brief below.
Instructor Pilot - Sgt Arthur Noel Stockdale DFM (1078049).
Pupil Pilot - Sgt Fisher.
Wellington HE632 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was taken on charge by 420 Squadron at Middleton St George on 21st February 1943. On 19th April 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 426 Squadron at Dishforth. As a result of sustaining battle damage on 13th May 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On 26tH June 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 82 O.T.U. at Ossington. On 30th August 1943 the aircraft swung on take off at Bircotes, it left the runway and the undercarriage collapsed. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 5th September 1943.
Arthur Stockdale was born in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire in 1920. He was awarded his DFM for service in the Middle East with 70 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th July 1943. The citation reads.."This airman has completed a large number of sorties and has displayed praiseworthy skill and tenacity throughout. This was amply demonstrated on one occasion when attacking a heavily defended concentration of vehicles in the vicinity of Mareth. In spite of considerable anti-aircraft fire and searchlight activity, Sergeant Stockdale executed his bombing from a low level causing much destruction. His fine fighting spirit and courageous example have been a source of inspiration." He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 10th January 1944 (171757), rising to F/O on 10th July 1944 and F/Lt on 10th January 1946. Postwar he became vice-chairman of Associated Dairies, in 1964 he formed Asda Stores Ltd with Peter Asquith becoming chairman of Asda in 1969 until 1986. He received a Knighthood on 14th June 1986 in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. He died in February 2004.
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