Wellington R1238 at Finningley airfield.

On 12th February 1941 this 115 Squadron aircraft was diverted to land at Finningley because of foggy conditions in East Anglia over it's home airfield. The aircraft had left Marham at 19.00hrs for Ops to Bremen. In the early hours of the morning and with fuel possibly running low the pilot made a hurried approach to land at Finningley, the aircraft stalled short of the runway, undershot and after hitting an un-recorded obstruction it crashed. No time for this incident is known or for this or to the accident to Hampden AD722 at Finningley on the same night. It is possible that the two other 51 Squadron Whitleys had been diverted to Finningley but when they arrived there these two incident had already taken place so other aircraft were then diverted to Drem where the weather was better. There were many other accidents on this night mainly caused by the poor weather. One other 51 Squadron Whitley, that of P4974 is simiply listed as crashing in "Eastern England" but almost certainly off the Yorkshire coast. One other crashed in Ayrshire on the way to Drem and another to the south of Glasgow.

Wellington R1238 was built to contract No.992424/39 by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd. at Chester. It was received by 45 MU on 10th November 1940 then issued to No.2 RFU on 5th December 1940. The aircraft was taken on charge by 115 Squadron at Marham on 12th December 1940. As a result of the incident on 12th February 1941 Cat.E2/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was written off. The aircraft was struck off charge on 19th February 1941.

Pilot - Sgt John Lewis Whittaker RAFVR (902513).

Second Pilot - Sgt Thompson.

Navigator - P/O Searle.

Wireless Operator - Sgt Kerr.

Air Gunner - Sgt Welch.

Air Gunner - Sgt Tough.