Hurricane V6668 near Waddington, Clitheroe.
On 22nd September 1940 three 85 Squadron Hurricanes flew to Sealand. On their return toward Church Fenton they flew together but entered severe bad weather in the Burnley area. They then attempted to return to Sealand but the weather closed in, with fuel running out and darkness falling all three made forced landings in the Burnley area. V6668 had narrowly missed colliding with a factory chimney and was force landed near Waddington, this is just inside Yorkshire. The pilot is named below. V7349 force landed on a hillside near Burnley. V7440 also narrowly avoided a chimney and was force landed near Heckenhurst Reservoir, Burnley.
Pilot - (Acting) F/Lt Geoffrey Allard DFM RAF (44551).
Geoffrey Allard was born in Strensall, York in August 1912. He joined 85 Squadron in June 1938 and served with them during the Battle of France. On 30th July 1940 he shot down a Bf110 off Harwich. On 30th August 1940 he shot down a He111 that then crashed at Mannings Heath, Surrey. He received a commission in August 1940. On 1st September 1940 he force landed Hurricane N2477 of 85 Squadron at Lympne due to loss of oil pressure, the aircraft was then caught in a bombing raid on the airfield. Later the same day he shot down a Do17 that crashed at Dungeness Point. For service with 85 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 13th September 1940 and the DFC, Gazetted 8th October 1940. He was killed on 13th March 1941 when Havoc BJ550 he was flying crashed near Wimbish. He is buried at Saffron Walden Cemetery, Essex.
Hurricane V6668 was built to contract 85730/40/23a by Gloster Aircraft Ltd. at Hucclecote and on 1st September 1940 it was flown to 15 MU at Wroughton. On 2nd September 1940 it was taken on charge by 85 Squadron at Church Fenton and was damaged near Waddington on 22nd September 1940. Cat.R/FA damage was the damage assessment and on 26th September 1940 it was taken to Gloster Aircraft Ltd. at Hucclecote for a repair in works. With this complete on 6th November 1940 it was flown to 10 MU at Hullavington. On 26th November 1940 it was taken back on charge by 85 Squadron, who were then based at Gravesend. On 1st January 1941 it moved with the unit to Debden. On 3rd April 1941 the aircraft was transferred to 52 OTU at Debden. On 12th June 1941 it was involved in a mid-air collision with Hurricane V7007, both from 52 OTU. V6668 then crashed at Cunningdale Farm, Hatfield, Hertfordshire and the pilot, Sgt A.R.G. Williams, died of his injuries. The damage assessment of Cat. W/FA was made and the aircraft was struck off charge.