Whitley Z6469 at Dishforth airfield.
On the night of 10th / 11th March 1941 this 51 Squadron aircraft undertook an operational flight to bomb Brest, they took off from Dishforth airfield at 18.50hrs and attacked the target area at 21.50hrs. They landed on the flarepath on their return to base at 23.30hrs but it was then straffed and damaged by an enemy aircraft attacking the airfield. The aircraft sustained cannon damage across the whole aircraft, including the tail plane spar and cockpit instruments being damaged. Despite the serious damage it was later repaired. Unfortunately the crew were still inside the aircraft at the time and Sgt Welch sustained a number of bullet wounds to his arms and legs while Sgt Francis was hit in the hand.
Pilot - Sgt Norman Hedley Welch RAFVR (758097). Injured.
Second Pilot - Sgt Alexander Francis RAFVR (903808). Injured.
? - Sgt Edwin John Clessie Richardson RAFVR (747981).
? - Sgt K Greene RAFVR (755512).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Kenneth Albert King RAFVR (966959).
Edwin Richardson was awarded the DFM later in 1941 and received a commission. He died on 30th August 1944 when 83 Squadron Lancaster PB249 failed to return from Ops to Konigsberg and has no known grave.
Kenneth King died on 5th July 1941 flying in Whitley Z6741. He is buried in Brest, France.
In November 1941 Alexander Francis was awarded the DFM for service with 51 Squadron. He died on 10th June 1942.
Whitley Z6469 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was allotted to 9 MU on 13th December 1940. It was received by 9 MU on 1st January 1941 and was taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Dishforth on 21st February 1941. On 11th March 1941 it sustained Cat.Ac/FB damage in a crash at Dishforth that saw it repaired on site and returned to 51 Squadron on 30th March 1941. The aircraft was then transferred to 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 1st April 1941. The aircraft required a repair on site on 5th September 1941 with it being servicable again on 21st September 1941. On 8th December 1941 it was slightly damaged at Linton on Ouse, Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment that saw a repair on site being made. The aircarft was returned to 58 Squadron on 24th December 1941. On 1st April 1942 it was taken on charge by No.1 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight at Binbrook, on 2nd May 1942 this unit was re-designated 1481 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight. On 1st August 1942 it sustained Cat.B/FA damage as the result of a flying accident. A repair on site was made and it took until 27th February 1943 for it to be made servicable. On 31st May 1943 it was transferred to 81 O.T.U. at Ashbourne. On 2nd March 1944 it transferred to 24 O.T.U. at Honeybourne but was assessed as being Cat.E1 unservicable on 10th May 1944. On 17th May 1944 it was struck off charge.