Whitley T4135 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 6th November 1940 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse at 20.15hrs to fly an operational fligh to attack Merseburg. The aircraft's air speed indicator failed before they got to the target so the crew turned round and made for home. Having already made two attempts to land at Linton on Ouse and also having just flown through conditions that caused ice to form on the flying surfaces, on the third attempt to land the aircraft at Linton on Ouse the aircraft simply flew into the ground just before midnight. The crew appear to have escaped injury.
Pilot - F/O Donald Urquhart Lowson RAF (41306).
Second Pilot - Sgt Kenneth Harold Smith RAFVR (745765).
Observer - Sgt Leslie Hogarth RAF (524701).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Dudley Arthur Ronald Tallis RAF (624867).
Air Gunner - Sgt D Whitehead.
Dudley Tallis worked as a chartered accountant’s clerk before enlisting into the RAF before the outbreak of War. His first Op was on 19th/20th June 1940 to Sterkrade, then
three nights later to Wedau. It is believed that he had flown with Leonard Cheshire with 102 Squadron on the occasion of 10th November 1940 in Whitley P5005 when Cheshire
was awarded his DSO. The recommendation for his DFM from 9th May 1941 reads.. "Sergeant Tallis has completed 31 operational bomber missions and in addition eight convoy patrols involving a total of some 300 hours operational flying. On 5th February 1941, he was the first Wireless Operator of a Whitley aircraft which was running short of petrol in
adverse weather. Wireless operating conditions were poor and the skill displayed by Sergeant Tallis in obtaining
quick Q.D.Ms from Abingdon were largely responsible for the safe arrival of the aircraft at that aerodrome. In
addition to his individual skill this N.C.O. has rendered great service in building up the strength of first
Operators within the unit. He has on many occasions flown in the tail turret with a U./T. Operator at the W/T
set, and by careful guidance has enabled doubtful Operators to gain sufficient confidence to qualify as First Operator."
He later received a commission on 12th May 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency)(48958). P/O Dudley Tallis DFM was posted to 22 OTU probably to act as an
instructor. He was killed on 31st May 1942 flying on Ops in Wellington R1235 and is buried Rheinberg War Cemetery. He was twenty one years old. His medal set was put up
for sale in 2002 and made £1600. I thank Mr Graham Sharpe for the photograph of his gravestone.
Donald Lowson was born in the Edmonton area of Middlesex in 1913. He was granted a commission of Acting P/O on probation on 29th October 1938
and was graded as P/O on 29th August 1939. He was later promoted to F/O on 3rd September 1940. He was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron.
After completing a tour with 102 Squadron he was posted to 10 OTU to instruct. F/Lt Donald Lowson was sadly killed on 7th July 1941 while serving
with 10 OTU and when flying Whitley Z6476 on a night navigation exercise. The aircraft hit a barrage balloon cable near Stratford on Avon and crashed
with the loss of the six crew. He was twenty eight years old and is buried in Harrow Churchyard, Middlesex.
Sgt Kenneth Smith was also still serving with 102 Squadron when, on 3rd January 1941, he was sadly reported missing flying in Whitley T4227 which crashed off the
Yorkshire coast. He was twenty years old.
Sgt Leslie Hogarth would not see the month out. He was reported missing on 21st November 1940 flying in Whitley P5072 which is believed to have crashed into the North Sea.
Whitley T4135 was buit to contract 38599/39 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd, at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 1st August 1940.
After a short period of storage it was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Linton on Ouse in the first week of September 1940. It sustained
Cat.W/FB damage as a result of the incident on 6th November 1940 as stated above.