Hampden X2908 at Lindholme airfield.
During the evening of 1st November 1940 this 50 Squadron aircraft was taxying around Lindholme airfield prior to taking off when, at 19.30hrs it taxied into an unlit Chance light. The airfield control were deemed to blame as they knew that the aircraft was to be moved and failed to illuminate obstruction lights on the Chance light.
Pilot - Sgt Robert Little Grainger RAF (758212).
On 13th March 1941 Robert Grainger was flying Hampden X3146 which failed to return from Ops to Hamburg. No trace of his then crew nor the aircraft was ever found and Sgt Grainger is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was twenty years old.
Hampden X2908 had a brief history, it was built to contract B.994449/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd, at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection in July 1940. It was received by 12 MU on 19th August 1940 and was taken on charge by 50 Squadron at Lindholme on 27th August 1940. Minor Cat.M damage resulted on 1st November 1940 and it was swiftly repaired on site at Lindholme. On 16th November 1940 it crashed in Goole. Cat.W/FB was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge. It's AM Form 78 stated that it had clocked up 624 hours flying time in it's short life. I do not believe that this is correct.