On 29th September 1939 the pilot of this 608 Squadron aircraft was landing at Thornaby at 21.00hrs when the Anson undershot and
struck a fence following a solo night-flying exercise. The aircraft was later repaired.
Pilot - F/O Alan Strafford Johnson RAF AAF (90305).
F/O Johnson was involved in a further incident, flying Anson P5199 on 2nd February 1940 which ditched off Blyth, Northumberland. He was granted a commission in the
RAF AAF to the rank of P/O on 17th February 1936 and was awarded his Wings on 31st July 1937. He was promoted to F/O on 24th August 1938, to F/Lt on 3rd
September 1940 and to S/Ldr (Temporary) on 1st December 1941. He transferred to the Admin and Special Duties branch of the RAF with effect of the
same date of 1st December 1941.
Anson N5203 was built to contract 7661`19/38 by A.V. Roe Ltd at Woodford and was delivered to 608 Squadron at Thornaby in June 1939. It
suffered Cat.M/FA on 29th September 1939 and was repaired on site and returned to the unit. It later transferred to 1 CACF (Coastal
Artillery Co-operation Flight) at Detling in around March 1941 where it was written off in an accident on 7th April 1941 when crashed on take off from Detling.