On 30th July 1941 this 405 Squadron aircraft was slightly damaged at Pocklington airfield when it taxied into a contractor's tractor that was parked on the taxying track.
Pilot - Sgt George Milburn Bigglestone RAFVR (754732).
Crew - Names unknown.
Wellington W5516 was built to contract B.71441/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Weybridge and was awaiting collection in April 1941. On 27th April 1941 it wa flown to 22 M.U. at Silloth and was taken on charge by 405 Squadron on 9th July 1941 at Pocklington. It was slightly damaged on 30th July 1941 at Pocklington when it struck a contractor's tractor, Cat.M/FA damage resulted and it was repaired on site. This incident does not feature on the aircraft's AM Form 78 so was probably very minor in nature. As a result of battle damage sustained on Ops to Berlin on 13th August 1941 minor Cat.A/FB resulted after assessment by 43 Group D.A. the following day. A repair on site was made but the repair doesn't appear complete until 20th December 1941 when it was returned to 405 Squadron use. It was lost on 27th February 1942 when it failed to return from Ops to Kiel with the loss of it's then crew of six. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge the following day.
George Bigglestone completed his Tour with 405 Squadron and was posted to instruct at 22 OTU. On 3rd January 1942 he was the pilot of Wellington X9640 that suffered an engine failure while landing at Wellesbourne Mountford airfield and crashed. Sadly F/Sgt Bigglestone was killed and is buried at Straford on Avon Cemetery. He was twenty one years old.
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