Hampden X2984 at Wold Newton, Driffield.
In the early hours of 2nd March 1941 the crew of this 50 Squadron aircraft were returning to Lindholme following Ops to Cologne. At between 03.30hrs and 03.55hrs while flying in poor visibility the crew thought they were over the North Sea not land when they flew into a small plantation near Wold Newton, between Driffield and Hunmanby. The weather caused problems for a number of crews returning home with a number failing to reach their bases. The pilot of this aircraft was inexperienced flying Hampdens, and although he had 77 hours solo flying on the Hampden type he had only flown one other operational flight with the Squadron prior to this accident and this was his first as captain. The cause of the crash was put down to a navigation error through bad weather. This incident occurred close to the pilot's home and instead of going to hospital he went there instead.
Observer (Second Pilot) - Sgt Leonard Thomas Richards RAFVR (745715), aged 23, of Clarkston, Glasgow. Buried Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Pilot - P/O Harold Cass Pexton RAFVR (81650), of Watton, Driffield, Yorkshire. Injured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Dennis Charles Wheeler RAFVR (755792). Injured.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James Hopkin Tittley RAFVR (971149). Injured.
Leonard Richards' grave in Hatfield Woodhouse Cemetery near Doncaster.
F/Lt Harold "Ben" Pexton DFC was killed on 30th July 1943 while flying Halifax HR381 with 35 Squadron PFF. The aircraft was shot down near the target area
by flak and a night-fighter. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery. His DFC was awarded after he was posted missing, Gazetted 25th July 1944 for service with
35 Squadron. He had received a commission in June 1940. Harold Pexton's parents lived at Watton Abbey, a few miles south of Driffield, his father Reg Pexton was a local counciller. Harold Pexton had at least one brother, Richard Pexton (72150) saw RAF service with Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. Richard Pexton's service deserves a mention here; on 19th May 1940 he was flying Hurricane N2331 with 615 Squadron which was shot down by an Me109 over Cambrai and he was hit in the leg. After a period in hospital he returned to flying. He was awarded the AFC in October 1943 and later the DFC with 61 Squadron in 1945. Richard Pexton survived the War. Prior to enlisting he had played rugby for Driffield.
Cllr Pexton later paid for the creation of a memorial stained glass window in Watton Church in 1946 to the memory of his 31 year old son F/Lt Harold
Pexton. On 12th July 1941 the Pexton's farm was hit by enemy bombs, a local press report states that
Harold "Ben" Pexton (who was an RAF pilot on leave), father Reg (a prominent local personality) and another son, Tom, fought a fire on their farm and rescued a number of
horses. Also involved was a farm worker, a Mr Thomas Swift. The latter was awarded a medal by the RSPCA for his actions in saving the lives of a number of horses.
Pexton Road on the Kellythorpe industrial estate in Driffield is named after the two Pexton brothers.
F/Sgt Tittley was still serving with 50 Squadron when he was killed on 19th July 1941 when Hampden AD897 crashed near Finningley on a training
flight (detailed on this website). He was twenty years old and is buried in Weaste Cemetery, Salford.
Hampden X2984 was built to contract B.994449/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection in September 1940. It was allotted to 20 MU on 5th September 1940 and was received by them on 23rd September 1940 9possibly first having been flown to 48 MU in error the day before). The aircraft was then taken on charge by 61 Squadron on 28th September 1940 and immediately transferred to 50 Squadron at Lindholme same day. As a result of the accident near Driffield on 2nd March 1941 it sustained Cat.E2/FB damage and was written off.