On 12th June 1941 this 27 O.T.U. aircraft took off from Lichfield airfield so the crew could undertake a training flight. While over South Yorkshire the starboard engine failed due to the
starboard engine reduction gear seizing up. Unable to maintain height, at 16.25hrs the pilot force landed the aircraft, wheels up, near Brodsworth and it sustained damage to the underside of the fuselage. A repair was carried out but probably in a works factory and it flew again only to be lost in October 1942.
Pilot - Sgt Cyril Henry Earthrowl RAF (745878). Uninjured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Gordon John Sheahan RAF (645419). Slightly injured.
Observer - Sgt Jacques Washington Meyers RCAF (R/59567). Slightly injured.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Douglas Crosbie Marshall RCAF (R/57837). Slightly injured.
Wireless Operator - Sgt L J Cormier RCAF (R/64551). Slightly injured.
Wellington R1389 was built to contract 992424/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Chester and was awaiting collection in December 1940. It was initially received by 24 M.U. on 28th December 1940 and then moved to 48 M.U. on 8th February 1941. It was taken on charge by 27 O.T.U. on 27th May 1941 soon after the unit formed on 23rd April 1941 at Lichfield. As a result of the incident near Doncaster on 12th June 1941 repairable Cat.B/FA was the damage assessment and it was taken away by road and repaired by Brooklands Service Aircraft Section a few days later. On 15th October 1941 it was issued to 46 M.U. and was then taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 28th October 1941. It was transferred to 30 O.T.U. on 15th September 1942 at Hixon but on 19th September 1942 it was transferred to 16 O.T.U. at Barford St.John. It was lost on 9th October 1942 when it disappeared on a training flight, with Cat.E(m) damage recorded.
Cyril Earthrowl was born in 1921. He begun his first Tour in November 1940 with 99 Squadron and after completing it a year later he served as an instructor for a time flying two of the 1000 Bomber raids in May/June 1942. He received a commission in the RAF 12th June 1941 to the rank of P/O on probation and was later promoted to F/O (war subs) on 12th June 1942. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1943 and was promoted to F/Lt on 8th May 1943. He begun a second Tour of operational flying in February 1943 with 427 Squadron and for service with 427 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 13th August 1943. Following the completion of his second Tour nothing more is known of his wartime flying. After the war he served as a BOAC pilot for many years before leaving the company at the end of 1975. He died in New Milton, Hampshire in November 2012.
Gordon Sheahan was killed on 25th March 1942 which serving with 12 Squadron when Wellington W5578 crashed in France. He is buried at Escoublac La Baule War Cemetery.
Douglas Marshall was killed on 20th August 1941 flying 104 Squadron Wellington W5416 He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Jacques Meyers was made a PoW on 17th August 1941 when 10 Squadron Whitley Z6794 was shot down over Germany.
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