Harrow K6954 near Owstwick.

On 20th December 1938 some extreme Winter weather effected Yorkshire. Newspaper accounts made reference to local people making comments regarding the weather and it was stated that the blizzard was the worst seen in years with roads being covered by three feet of drifting snow. In what must have been the morning of 20th December 1938 a 75 Squadron Harrow took off from Honington airfield in Suffolk to fly to Abbotsinch, Glasgow. The reason for the flight is unclear but on board were a number of squadron personnel heading home for Christmas. In total eleven were in the aeroplane. As it flew north the weather must have been a problem for the pilot and once beyond the blizzard conditions became a problem. From witnesses on the ground it appears that the aeroplane was circling the general Withernsea area for some time. The starboard engine starboard engine failed and general icing conditions must have also been a problem in respect of controlling the aeroplane. The aeroplane descended and eventually a wing struck either a tall poplar or elm tree in the Owstwick / Roos area causing the wing to be damaged, it then crashed into a snow covered field and that saw the nose damaged and the port engine torn off. An airman in the front turret was injured when he was thrown forward in the crash, his name below is spelt as it was given in a newspaper report of the time. A postman doing his rounds in the snow on a bicycle witnessed the crash and was first to the site where he found all on board had got themselves free. All walked to a local farmhouse to take shelter.

Pilot - F/O Norman Maxwell Boffee RAF (37343).

"Observer in front turret" - "AC William Maurice Stranach". Injured. (Probably William Morris Stronach RAF (547952)).

Nine others - Names unknown.

Possibly including P/O Gerald Victor Gordon RAF (39080).