Blenheim L8732 near Church Fenton.
At 12.50hrs on 9th December 1941 the 54 O.T.U. aircraft took off from Church Fenton to fly two passengers the short hop to Acaster Malbis airfield where they were to help make servicable another Blenheim that had become bogged down. Soon after taking off from Church Fenton the port engine lost power, the pilot managed to correct a swing that developed and climbed the aircraft over a house in Church Fenton village that was in their part but then attempted to force land in a field beyond, named as "Hunters Field". Just before touching down the port wing struck a tree and it crashed, ending up in a ditch. The aircraft suffered extensive damage and was later written off.
Pilot - F/O Walter Frame Gibb RAF (88881), of Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Wales. Uninjured.
Passenger - LAC Clifford Hayden Stephens RAFVR (965213). Slightly injured.
Passenger - AC Thomas Henry Bennison RAFVR (987280). Uninjured.
As Acting W/C he was awarded the DSO with 239 Squadron (Gazetted on 1st May 1945), the Citation reads.."Wing Commander Gibb has completed very
many sorties since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Highly efficient, brave and resolute,
this officer has set a splendid example to all. Among his successes is the destruction of five
enemy aircraft, three of which he shot down in the early days of March 1945."
He also served with 264 Squadron, 605 Squadron and became a test pilot with the CFS. He left the RAF in the
post-War shake-up and rejoined his former Bristol employers where he rose to chief test pilot.
He twice held the World altitude record as the pilot of a Canberra in 1953 and 1955. After giving up test-flying
he took a role with the BAC (which Bristol had become part of) and later became managing director and chairman of British Aerospace Australia.
In retirement he enjoyed sailing at the Thornbury Sailing Club, he died on 4th October 2006. He was undoubtably an outstanding pilot of all types of aircraft.
Blenheim L8732 was built to contract 551920/37 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in September 1939. It was taken on charge short after delivery to the RAF by 21 Squadron at Watton who were a light bomber squadron. Its history is a little unclear but it was transferred to 13 OTU at Bicester shortly after the unit was formed in April 1940 and was then transferred to 54 OTU on an unknown date in 1941. As a result of the accident on 9th December 1941 near Church Fenton Cat.E2/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was written off.
Walter Gibb was born in March 1919, after school he worked as an apprentice at the Bristol Aeroplane Company. He joined the RAF in May 1940 and trained at Cranwell, his obituary stated that he was deemed above average and selected to instruct. He was commissioned on 24th November 1940 to P/O on probation, with seniority back dated by five days. He rose to F/O (war subs) on 19th November 1941, to F/Lt (war subs) on 19th November 1942, and to S/Ldr (war subs) on 20th December 1944. As Acting S/Ldr he was awarded the DFC for service with 611 Squadron (Gazetted on 6th July 1943), the Citation reads.."Squadron Leader Gibb has displayed great skill as a pilot during operations both by day and night. During one day he severely damaged seven locomotives in France. On another occasion, he led a section of three aircraft
which engaged two Junkers 88's over the Bay of Biscay. Owing to his skilful leadership both of the enemy aircraft were destroyed.
This officer has displayed great courage and tenacity."