Master T8610 near Pannal, Harrogate.
On 12th March 1941 this aircraft force-landed and was slightly damaged near Pannal during a flight from Aston Down airfield in Gloucestershire to Usworth
airfield at Sunderland; one Flight of 55 OTU were posted on detachment to Usworth on this date in preparation for the unit's move to Usworth two days later
and it is believed that this aircraft was one of those heading north when the landing at Pannal was made. The incident is listed in passing in 55 OTU's ORB
but gives no extra information.
Pilot - Sgt Alfred Whitby RAF (580256). Uninjured.
Passenger - Sgt Robert Arthur Brackley RAF (518164). Uninjured.
Alfred Whitby was born in Liverpool in May 1912 and joined the RAF in March 1936. After training as a pilot he was posted to 79 Squadron in 1937. He took part in
the Battle of France with 79 Squadron and was credited with a number of enemy aircraft as shot down or damaged. For these actions he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on
28th June 1940. During the Battle of Britain he was credited with a share of shooting down a Heinkel He111. In January 1941 he was posted to 55 OTU at Aston Down for
instructional duties. He later instructed at 59 OTU before a posting to 403 Squadron but after an illness he took no further flying roles in the War. He had received
his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 1st May 1941 (45721). He was confirmed in his appointment and promoted to F/O (war subs) on 1st May 1942 and to F/Lt
(war subs) on 1st May 1943. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 14th June 1945 with a huge number of service personnel.
On 24th July 1948 (with effect of 19th April 1948 and with seniority of 1st September 1945) he extended his period of service by
four years and transferred to the Aircraft Control Branch on the same date. He was appointed to a permanent commission of F/Lt on
2nd March 1949 and was promoted to S/Ldr on 1st January 1953.
Robert Brackley was probably born in the Lewes district of Sussex in 1916. He was posted to 263 Squadron on 2nd June 1941 and out on 1st December 1941.
He received his commission to P/O on probation (emergency) on 21st September 1942 and was promoted to F/O on probation on 21st March 1943 and to F/Lt (war subs)
on 21st September 1944. Service number being 50099 after commission. He survived the War and probably died in Bedford in 1978.
Master T8610 was built to contract 44440/39 by Phillips & Powys Ltd at Woodley and was awaiting collection in January 1941. It was taken on charge later
that same month by 55 OTU at Aston Down. On 12th February 1941 one flight of 55 OTU was detached to Usworth in preparation for the unit's move there on 14th
March 1941 and this aircraft sustained the damage there during the detachment flight North. Cat.A/FA was recorded but because it was not anywhere near a place
where repair could be carried out it was removed to works for repair. On completion of the repair and after a short period of storage it was taken on charge
by 9 FTS at Hullavington later that year. Before the year was out it was transferred to 1 AAS at Manby and then to 5 FTS at Ternhill. On 13th January 1942 it
crashed in a forced landing near Gosnall, Staffordshire with Cat.E2/FA damage being recorded. It is not known whether there were any injuries or casualities
in this accident.