Halifax L9568 damaged by flak, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the evening of 11th December 1941 the crew of this 35 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Cologne and took off from base of Linton on Ouse at 17.13hrs.
The aircraft was hit and slightly damaged by flak while over Germany while flying at 12,000ft. The crew managed to make a safe return to Linton on Ouse and landed safely at 22.30hrs.
Pilot - P/O David Scott Shearman Wilkerson RAFVR (62281).
Second Pilot - Sgt C S Stringer. (Probably Sgt Charles Sydney Stringer RAFVR (1377398)).
Observer - F/O Ronald Ernest Cheeseman MiD RAFVR (77910).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Harvey.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James Henry Janes RAFVR (1255608).
Air Gunner - Sgt Carrington.
Flight Engineer - Sgt Mitchell.
James Janes received a commission to the rank of P/O on 27th August 1942 and received the DFC for service with 35 Squadron, Gazetted on 12th March 1943. He survived the War
having risen to F/Lt.
David Wilkerson's life is well documented on "www.578squadron.org.uk". David Wilkerson was born in London in 1917 and enlisted into the RAFVR in 1940. He received a commission to
the rank of P/O on (a currently) unknown date. He was posted to 58 Squadron in early 1941 and posted to 35 Squadron a few months later but was posted back to 58 Squadron while 35
Squadron sorted out some problems with their new Halifaxes. He returned to 35 Squadron in September 1941. He was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 29th January 1942 (with seniority of
27th November 1941). For service with 35 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 13th March 1942. The citation for his DFC reads.."As a pilot, and captain of aircraft, this
officer has shown outstanding ability and keenness and he has succeeded in reaching and bombing his objectives with unfailing regularity and success. Flying Officer Wilkerson has
attacked a wide range of enemy targets, including Berlin, Nuremburg, Kiel and Essen, besides other industrial centres and dockyard towns. He took part in 2 daylight raids on the
enemy warships at Brest, and in spite of fierce opposition, carried out his attacks with the utmost skill and determination. Flying Officer Wilkerson has proved himself to be a
courageous captain." He was promoted to F/Lt (war subs) on 5th September 1942 and to S/Ldr on 20th July 1943. He later served with 578 Squadron and on 23rd May 1943 the London
Gazette printed notification that he was awarded the DSO for service with 578 Squadron, the citation reads.. "This officer has completed many sorties on his second tour of
operations. He has displayed high powers of leadership, great skill and determination, qualities which have earned him much success. He is a devoted and zealous squadron commander,
whose great drive and tactical ability have contributed in a large measure to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron." He was killed on 16th September 1944
when Martin Baltimore NG689 crashed near West Felton, Shropshire while he was serving with the Empire CFS and flying to Rednal airfield to attend a meeting. Both he and Major James
Wilfred Cross SAAF were killed. W/Co Wilkerson was twenty seven years old and is buried in Selby Cemetery, North Yorkshire. A memorial at the crash commemorates his loss and by
a bronze bust in Burn Village. On 15th May 1945 the London Gazette printed notification that he had been awarded the U.S. Silver Silver.
Sgts Harvey, Janes and Mitchell survived the crash of Halifax R9445 at Oakington on return from Ops on 4th March 1942. Sgt Janes also survived the crash of Halifax W1154
on 14th July 1942 near Canterbury on return from Ops which saw two of his then crew killed.
Ronald Cheeseman received a commisison in the RAFVR on 10th March 1940 to the rank of P/O on probation and rose to F/O (war subs) on 10th March 1941. He was Mentioned in Despatches
on 24th September 1941 and was promoted to F/Lt on 10th March 1942. He reliquished his commission in the RAFVR on 8th March 1955.
Sgt Stringer was posted from 10 OTU to 35 Squadron on 26th October 1941. Later in 1941 he spent a short period of time at the B.A.T. Flight at Driffield returning to 35 Squadron on 25th December 1941.
Halifax L9568 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was taken on charge by 12 MU at Kirkbride on 17th June 1941. After inspection it was found that it required further work by Handley Page Ltd. to make the aircraft serviceable so was returned to Handley Page DGRD on 17th August 1941. With this work complete on 31st August 1941 it was then taken on charge once again by 12 MU at Kirkbride. It was then taken on charge by 35 Squadron on 9th September 1941 at Linton on Ouse. Cat.A/FB damage would have been the damage assessment following battle damage on 11th December 1941 and it was repaired on site at Linton on Ouse. On 11th January 1942 it was transferred to 35 Squadron Conversion Flight, also based at Linton on Ouse. On 7th May 1942 it stationary when it was badly damaged in a collision with another Halifax. Cat.E damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 12th May 1942.