Blenheim L8692 at Leeming airfield.
On 2nd August 1940 pilot of this 219 Squadron aircraft was practicing flapless landings but misjudged his airspeed on landing at Leeming
at 15.15hrs. Fearing he was about to overshoot the runway he retracted the undercarriage to attempt to avoid over-running the airfield. This
worked to some extent but the aircraft slid into the boundary hedge along side the A1 road. This incident was the pilot's first mishap of the day,
he is believed to have been the pilot of a Blenheim which crashed at Catterick later in the day.
Pilot - P/O William Gavin Mein Lambie RAF (42235), of Edinburgh.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Ralph "Dinger" Bell RAF (565216), of Newcastle.
William Lambie received a commission on 24th June 1939, granted the rank of Acting P/O on probation. He was later graded as P/O on probation on 16th December 1939.
P/O William Lambie was involved in a number of minor mishaps while stationed at Catterick. He was sadly killed on 15th November 1940 flying Beaufighter R2084 which crashed
near Kenley. He is buried in Nutsfield Cemetery, Surrey.
This photograph depicts the Blenheim in the hedge at Leeming, although slightly blurred it first appeared in
Brian Rapier's "White Rose Base". Blenheim L8692 was built to contract 551920/37 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at
Speke and was awaiting collection in July 1939. It was then flown into MU storage where it remained until being
allotted to 229 Squadron at Digby on 6th October 1939 when the unit reformed, having been disbanded on 31st
December 1919. Aircraft arrived at the unit in early November 1939. but was transferred to 219 Squadron
at Catterick in March 1940 when 229 Squadron converted to Hurricane MkI's. Following the incident detailed
above and after inspection Cat.R/FA damage was recorded but after transfer to works for repair it was re-assessed and
Re-Cat.W and struck off charge on 20th August 1940.
Ralph Bell was born in 1915 in Newcastle and had joined the RAF at the very bottom in 1931 as an Aircraft Apprentice, he later re-mustered as an air gunner and was posted
to 219 Squadron by the start of the Battle of Britain. He is reported to have served in the RAF until 1970 and died in 2006.
