Lysander L4748 at East Heslerton.
On 29th June 1940 this 4 Squadron was being flown on a dawn patrol of the east coast of Yorkshire, having set out from Linton on Ouse airfield at 03.35hrs by 06.00hrs fog was effecting visibility. The pilot made a precautionary landing near East Heslerton at around 06.05hrs to ascertain the fuel level as he believed that the aircraft had reached the safe limit of time in the air and the fuel gauge was not readable. It seems likely that the fuel level was indeed too low to continue and the aircraft was refuelled later in the day. The aircraft took off from the field at 15.10hrs and returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
The aircraft was not damaged. This is one of my very local incidents and I would like to learn where the landing was made.
Pilot - P/O Stephen Alers Hankey RAF (40822).
Air Gunner - Sgt Taylor (?). 4 Squadron ORB is terrible to read.
By 17th December 1943 F/Lt Hankey was flying with 161 Squadron. On this date he was flying Lysander V9674 on an SOE flight to pick up two French agents from France. Unfortunately the aircraft crashed near Ford, Sussex and he was killed. He is buried at Crowhurst, Sussex.