Hudson P5135 at Thornaby airfield.
During a blackout on 12th July 1940 a member of ground crew at Thornaby airfield was killed when he was struck by a rotating propeller belonging to a 220 Squadron aircraft while removing the chocks prior to an operational flight.
Mechanic - AC2 James Phillips RAFVR (971609), aged 21. Buried Carluke (Wilton) Cemetery, Lanarkshire.
Pilot - F/Lt Andrew Bruce RAF (39268).
Navigator - P/O Michael Negus RAF (33574).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Gordon Cansdale RAF (516561).
Air Gunner - Sgt Albert Luckhurst RAF (522251).
Michael Negus was later awarded the DFC for service with 605 Squadron. He was killed on 7th April 1944 when Mosquito NS875 crashed in Switzerland.
Albert Luckhurst was later posted to 405 Squadron and was killed on 7th July 1941 when Wellington W5490 crashed at Pocklington. He is buried at Farnham Cemetery, Surrey.
Hudson P5135 was built by Lockheed in California, USA and was delivered to the UK early in 1940. It was received by 20 MU on 9th March 1940 and was taken on charge by 220 Squadron on 24th May 1940. It appears to have suffered no damage when the member of groundcrew was killed on 12th July 1940. It was lost on an operational sortie on 4th December 1940 when it crashed into the sea of Hartlepool. It was struck off charge on 31st December 1940.