Whitley P4951 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 9th September 1940 this 58 Squadron aircraft was returning from an operational flight to bomb Bremen when it undershot on landing at 04.10hrs at Linton on Ouse. The aircraft undercarriage sustained damage when it ran through the boundary hedge and onto rough ground. From the damage sustained elsewhere to the engines, nose, tail wheel and staboard wing it appears the undercarriage legs both collapsed.
Pilot - Sgt William Templeton Christie RAFVR (742182).
Second Pilot - Sgt Frederick Mark Kerr RAF (748103). Injured.
Observer - Sgt Bertie Clarence Coates RAF (744915).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James Munro Ramsay RAF (533261).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - LAC Daniel McIntyre RAF (534062).
Sgt Ramsay was killed on 9th October 1940 when 58 Squadron Whitley T4137 crashed near Bircham Newton, Norfolk. He is buried at Cottingham Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Daniel McIntyre was later posted to 101 Squadron but failed to return from Kiel in Wellington W5715 on 19th / 20th August 1941. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt Kerr became a PoW in 1941 with 58 Squadron. He was awarded the DFM for service with 58 Squadron in May 1941 after he reported missing.
Bertie Coates was awarded the DFM for service with 58 Squadron in 1941. He was also awarded the DFC while in the rank of Warrant Officer for service with 159 Squadron, Gazetted in 1943 well after he had received a commission in December 1942. He remained in the RAF post-war serving until at least 1970. A great period of service to his country.
William Christie became a well decorated pilot; he was awarded the DFM later in 1940 for service with 58 Squadron (Gazetted on 24th December 1940), with whom he completed a Tour. He was later Commissioned in April 1941 (63779) and awarded the DSO (Gazetted 15th January 1943) prior to his death with 7 Squadron on 12th December 1942 flying on Stirling BF379. He is buried in Milan War Cemetery. His crew of seven were able to bale out but became PoW's. The Citation for his DSO reads.. "Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal this officer has taken part in 27 operational flights. Flight Lieutenant Christie has always displayed courage and determination of a very high order, pressing home his attacks on the most heavily defended targets. On one occasion he was detailed to attack Mannheim. In the face of heavy opposition he first dropped flares and then made
his attack from a very low leved. He is an outstanding captain of aircraft who has consistently displayed skill and judgment of a high order, while his devotion to duty has inspired his fellow pilots."
Whitley P4951 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 15th April 1940. It was delivered to 58 Squadron shortly afterwards. Cat.M/FB damage was recorded at Thornaby following a minor incident on 29th June 1940 and it was repaired on site and returned to the unit in early July 1940. It sustained Cat.R/FB on 9th September 1940 (as detailed above) but although Cat.R damage was recorded it was repaired on site by a team from Baginton and returned to the
unit in November 1940. It then moved with 58 Squadron to St.Eval on 8th April 1942 and to Stornoway on 30th August 1942. In December 1942 58 Squadron ceased using Whitleys and the aircraft was flown into MU storage until being taken on charge by 42 OTU in May 1943. Nothing further is known about the history other than it was at an MU store by 20th March 1945 when 42 OTU disbanded. It was struck off charge and returned to produce (broken up and the metal re-used) on 19th April 1945.