Blenheim L1168 at Catterick airfield.
This 219 Squadron aircraft damaged its undercarriage on take off from Catterick on 5th August 1940 and on the pilot's return to the airfield it was belly landed. It was later repaired.
Pilot - Sgt Arthur John Hodgkinson RAF (565887).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - (possibly) Sgt George Edward Shepherd RAF (523887).
"This officer has carried out numerous operational flights. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft, of which two were
destroyed at night. His eagerness to seek and destroy the enemy at night has set a splendid example to his fellow pilots."
He rose to F/O (war subs) on 20th February 1942 (with seniority 19th February 1942) and F/Lt (war subs) exactly a year later
(again with seniority the preceeding day) and was awarded the Bar to the DFC with 219 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th June 1941. The citation was
a joint one with his regular air gunner Sgt Bertram Dye (620298) who received the Bar to the DFM, the citation reads..
"P/O Hodgkinson and Sgt Dye have flown together in many night fighting operations
as pilot and wireless operator respectively. Both have displayed exceptional skill and keenness which,
combined with excellent team work, has resulted in the destruction of at least six enemy aircraft at night."
He had then flown with 264 Squadron before a posting to 23 Squadron. He was then awarded the DSO, Gazetted
after his death on 23rd July 1943. He lost his life on 10th July 1943 flying a 23 Squadron Mosquito when the
aircraft was shot down near Rome, Italy. He was twenty seven years old and is buried at Beach head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy.
Notification of his DSO came through after his death in July 1943, the citation in the London Gazette reads..
"This officer has completed much operational flying. Latterly, in the Middle East, he has bombed targets in
Tunisia, Italy and Sicily and, during these operations, he has attacked
numerous locomotives to good effect, while fires have been started in railway installations and sidings as
a result of his determined work. In addition, Flight Lieutenant Hodgkinson has
executed many sorties over enemy airfields during which he has destroyed three hostile aircraft and
caused much disorganisation. His sterling work has contributed in a large measure to the
successes of his squadron."
If indeed the air gunner was Sgt Shepperd then he was killed flying Blenheim L1261 which crashed near Acklington on 30th September 1940. He was buried
at Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire. He was twenty three years old. George Shepperd was born in Sidcup, Kent and joined the RAF in September 1935, after
re-training as an air gunner he was posted to 219 Squadron in 1940.
Sgt Hodgkinson claimed the first of his many enemy aircraft as shot down on 25th October 1940 flying in the new Beaufighter R2079,
it was one of the first Beaufighter victories. He received his commission soon after on 20th February 1941 to P/O on probation and
was awarded the DFC for service with 219 Squadron, the citation found in the London Gazette appeared on 11th April 1941, it reads..
Blenheim L1168 was built to contract 527114/36 by The Bristol Aeroplane Co. Ltd. at Filton and was awaiting collection in March 1938
and was flown into MU storage. In May 1939 it was issued to 18 Squadron at Upper Heyford as a bomber version of the Blenheim when the
unit converted from Hawker Hinds. In February 1940 18 Squadron ceased operating Blenhiem MkI's so the aircraft went into works for conversion to a Mk.If. When this
conversion was complete it was issued to 64 Squadron at Church Fenton but in April 1940 64 Squadron ceased operating Blenheim MkIf's so
the aircraft was transferred to 219 Squadron at Catterick. It was slightly damaged by friend Spitfire guns on 3rd July 1940 but the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely (probably) back at Catterick where it was quickly repaired. It sustained Cat.R(b)/FA damage on 5th August 1940, after on site assessment it was taken away and repaired in works. When the repair was complete and after a period of storage it issued to 54 O.T.U. at Church Fenton who formed on 25th November 1940. It was destroyed in a fatal accident near Nether Poppleton, to the north of York on
28th February 1941 with Cat.W/FA damage being recorded.