Hampden L4150 near Lindholme airfield.
On 8th October 1940 this 50 Squadron aircraft was returning from an operational flight to Osnabruck when the port engine failed on approach to land at Lindholme. A forced landing was made half a mile from Lindholme airfield which slightly damaged the aircraft. The 60 M.U. record book states that they recovered this aircraft from marshy ground suggesting it landed on ground to the east of the airfield which is known to have been very wet and is now protected wetland.
Pilot - P/O David Evan Frank Powell RAF (42880).
Navigator - Sgt Kenyon Stafford Gowland RAF (742817).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Raymond Edward Drake RAF (648987).
Air Gunner - Sgt Green.
On the same aircraft as P/O Powell was Sgt Drake who was made a PoW. Raymond Drake remained in the RAF after the War rising at least to the rank of Master Signaller. On 1st June 1953 he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. He was possibly born in Bury St.Edmunds in 1920.
David Powell received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 23rd October 1939. He was graded as P/O on probation on 20th April 1940 and confirmed as P/O on 14th August 1940. P/O Powell was killed in action on 10th April 1941 when Hampden AD828 failed to return from ops to Dusseldorf. He is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery. He was the son of W/Co Frank Powell MBE RAF who served in the RFC in WW1 and continued his service in WW2 gaining his MBE in 1919.
Kenyon Gowland was born in the Eastbourne area of Sussex in 1920. He was flying in Hampden X3000 on 30th October 1940 when the aircraft iced up and control was lost. The crew baled out and the aircraft crashed near Barton le Street, Malton. He returned to his squadron but was killed in action on 6th November 1940 when Hampden X2907 failed to return from ops to Magdeburg. He is buried in Ootmarsum Cemetery, Holland.
Hampden L4150 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page Ltd, at Radlett and was awaiting collection in March 1939. It was allotted to 76 Squadron on 23rd March 1939 and then taken on charge by them at Finningley on 18th April 1939 the following month when the unit converted from Wellesley's to Hampden's. On 22nd September 1939 it moved with the unit to Upper Heyford. On 17th October 1939 it was taken on charge by 106 Squadron at Finningley. On 10th September 1940 it was taken on charge by 50 Squadron at Lindholme. It sustained Cat.R/FB damage following the mishap near Lindholme on 8th October 1940 and was taken away to be repaired in works by Service Aircraft Section (S.A.S.) of Tollerton. On 8th February 1941 it passd to English Electric, Service Aircraft Section (S.A.S.). After a short time at 12 M.U. it was taken on charge by 16 O.T.U. on 20th June 1941 at Upper Heyford. On 9th July 1941 it was slightly damaged in a flying accident, 43 Group D.A. inspected the aircraft and it was sent to S.A.S. Tollerton again on 15th July 1941. On 8th November 1941 it passed to R.A.A.W. and then to 29 M.U. on 10th December 1941 to be placed into long term storage. On 22nd November 1942 it was taken on charge by Cunliffe Owen but on 8th January 1943 passed to 23 M.U. at Aldergrove. On 25th November 1943 it passed to 44 M.U. and was written off there on 27th February 1944 when it was struck off charge.