Whitley P4964 at Dishforth airfield.
On 19th May 1940 this 10 Squadron aircraft undershot on landing at Dishforth airfield at 12.45hrs when the pilot was returning from a non-operational
flight. The aircraft struck a tree stump in the boundary hedge and when the undercarriage touched the runway it collapsed. None of the crew are believed
to have been injured.
Pilot - P/O Robert Vernon Warren RAF (70881).
Crew - Names unknown.
Robert Vernon Warren was in the RAF Reserve from at least 1938 as he was granted a commission as Acting P/O on probation on 26th March 1938. He later transferred
to the RAF and was granted a commission in the RAF as P/O on probation on 30th October 1938. He was confirmed as P/O on 30th October 1939. For service with 10 Squadron
he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 22nd October 1940. He was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 30th July 1940 and to F/Lt (war subs) on 30th July 1941 and as F/Lt he
transferred to the Admin and Special Duties Branch of the RAFO on 30th October 1942. He relinquished his commission (retiring on grounds of ill-health) on 3rd October
1944 retaining the rank of S/Ldr. He had served with 35 Squadron after his time with 10 Squadron.
Whitley P4964 was built to contract 75147/38 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 28th April 1940. It was delivered to 10
Squadron based at Dishforth on 29th April 1940. Following the incident detailed above Cat.M(C)/FA damage was recorded and it was repaired on site but was later
transferred to 78 Squadron at Dishforth on 15th July 1940 when the unit moved from Linton on Ouse on that date. On 18th September 1940 Cat.M/FB damage was
sustained when it was hit by flak on ops to Zeebrugge with the rear gunner on that occasion being injured. The aircraft returned safely to Dishforth, it was
repaired and returned to its unit but on 2nd October 1940 it failed to return from bombing oil installations at Sterkrade and crashed near Hessenweg, Holland
with the then crew of five being killed.