Hampden L4176 at Cantley, near Finningley.
On 9th November 1941 the crew on this 25 Operational Training Flight aircraft had been carrying out a local bombing practice training flight on a nearby range. On approach to land at Finningley at 19.12hrs the pilot lost sight of the flare path on his approach to land and struck trees at Black Carr Plantation, near Cantley. The aircraft crashed and was badly damaged. The pilot and one other member of crew sustained broken knee caps. Two other members of crew were not injured.
Pilot - Sgt H A Ogden RCAF (R/68568). Injured.
Observer - Sgt Edward Thomas McHugh RAFVR (1105677). Injured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Harold Thorpe RAFVR (1059159).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Arthur Norman Taylor RAFVR (957729).
Harold Thorpe received a commission in March 1944 and survived the War.
F/Sgt McHugh was killed on 4th April 1943 when 156 Squadron Lancaster W4850 failed to return from Ops to Kiel and he is buried in Kiel War Cemetery.
Hampden L4176 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection in April 1939. It was allotted to 106 Squadron on 4th May 1939 and was taken on charge by them on 18th May 1939 at Thornaby who were in the process of converting from Battle MkI's to Hampden MkI's. On 19th August 1939 it moved with this unit to Evanton, then on 1st September 1939 with the unit to Cottesmore, and on 6th October 1939 with the unit to Finningley. 20th January 1940 it was received by 32 M.U. prior to transfer to 7 Squadron on 22nd January 1940 at Upper Heyford. On 18th April 1940 it was taken on charge by 16 O.T.U. at Upper Heyford. On 18th February 1941 it passed briefly to No.5 Group T. Flight but was then taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 26th February 1941. As a result of the damage sustained near Finningley on 9th November 1941 Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded after assessment. The aircraft was struck off charge on 14th November 1941.