Tiger Moth N9453 at Brough airfield.
On the night of 5th / 6th December 1940 a strong gale effected aircraft either parked or taxiing on Brough airfield. The strong winds damaged this aircraft and a number of others. This aircraft is one which is confirmed as damaged but there were almost certainly upto nine others damaged at Brough in similar circumstances all being 4 EFTS aircraft. This aircraft was being held down by twenty people when it was blown over, one member of the airfield's aircraft handling team sustained serious back injuries as a result of this incident and was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary. A pilot is named on the AM1180 accident card.
Pilot - P/O W H Dunne.
Ground Crew - AC2 Ernest Ambrose Hatch RAFVR (933266).
Tiger Moth N9453 was built to contract 778402/38 by De Havilland Ltd at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in December 1939. On an unknown date it was delivered to 4 E.F.T.S. at Brough. It sustained Cat.W damage was a result of the damage sustained in the incident detailed above when 60 MU inspected this aircraft on 15th December 1940.
Ernest Hatch later remustered as aircrew and trained as an air gunner. He was killed on 27th April 1944 while serving with 106 Squadron when Lancaster JB601 crashed in France. He was 22 years old and is buried at Laneuville-a-Bayard Churchyard, France.