Wellington W5384 at Pocklington airfield.
On 9th July 1941 this 405 Squadron aircraft the brakes of this aircraft failed as it was being taxied from a dispersal point at Pocklington airfield. It ran off the concrete and onto soft ground causing the main wheels to sink into the ground, the tail then rose into the air and dropped down heavily which damaged the aircraft's rear section.
Pilor - S/Ldr Robert Clare Bisset RAF (39778).
Crew - Unknown.
Robert Bisset was born in Edmonton in 1913, he joined the RAF in May 1937 and received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 31st May 1937. He was confirmed in the rank of P/O exactly a year later. He joined 102 Squadron in September 1939 but was later posted to 51 Squadron in May 1940 and was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 22nd October 1940. When he was recommended for the DFC on 19th August 1940 when he had flown thirty operational flights. The Citation for his DFC reads.. "This officer has now completed 30 operational sorties. He has always shown patience in finding his targets and determination in attack. He has set a very good example." He was posted to 405 Squadron in May 1941 (part of 102 Squadron formed 405 Squadron and with him being a Canadian he joined them) and awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 6th October 1942 and part of the draft citation reads.. "In recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations. Led flight in an exemplary manner in most difficult and lengthy sorties. Outstanding qualities of leadership. Set a fine example by skill and courage. In many raids on German industrial targets and in two raids on Turin." Having risen to the rank of Squadron Leader he was killed on 30th November 1941 flying Wellington W5476 on Ops to Hamburg with 405 Squadron, his body was never found and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. He was also awarded the Czechoslovak Military Cross awarded as per London Gazette dated 12th January 1943.
Wellington W5384 was built to contract B.71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Weybridge and was awaiting collection in December 1940. It was flown to 12 M.U. at Kirkbride on 1st January 1941 and was taken on charge by 142 Squadron on 1st March 1941 who were based at Binbrook. It's AM Form 78 doed not state it was ever taken on charge by 405 Squadron so it appears to have purely been loaded to them, on an unknown date, and flown to join 405 Squadron at Pocklington. As a result of the mishap there on 9th July 1941 Cat.M/FA damage was the damage assessment which required only a repair on site. Once repaired it was returned to 142 Squadron at Binbrook. On 20th September 1941 it was ditched off Orford Ness on return from an operational flight which saw five of it's then crew of six being killed. Cat.E/FB damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge.