Whitley Z6755 near Topcliffe.
On 19th October 1941 this 102 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown from Topcliffe to Driffield airfield, seven airmen were on board and they took off from Topcliffe just after noon. The weather was poor and the aircraft left without anyone confirming that it was safe to land at Driffield. Not long after taking off word was received about the condition at Driffield so this aircraft was recalled to Topcliffe by radio. Reaching the circuit of Topcliffe the pilot made two unsuccessful attempts to land so carried out overshoot procedure and flew another circuit of the airfield. On making a third attempt to land the aircraft was not lined up with the landing area so he attempted to overshoot again, but when he applied power to the engines the starboard engine cut out. The aircraft lost height and although he raised the undercarriage and the flaps a forced landing was inevitable. At 12.45hrs the aircraft crash landed near Gristhwaite Farm, Thirsk. The aircraft sustained damage to the fuselage, propellers and undercarriage. Of the seven airmen who were on the aircraft and one was slightly injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt Graham George Williams RAFVR (949358). Injured.
Pilot - P/O Lewis William Richards RAF (67710).
Passenger (Pilot) - Sgt Gordon Francis Joseph Hoben RCAF (R/67600).
Passenger (Pilot) - Sgt George William McDonald RAF (521585).
Observer - Sgt A L Lord RCAF (R/64879).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Thomas Rogers RAFVR (955269).
Passenger - F/O Bryan.
Gorden Hoben was killed on 11th July 1942 flying 403 Squadron Spitfire AR345 when it crashed at Topcliffe when flying over his old base. His full biography is given on the webpage for that incident.
On 8th November 1941 Rogers, McDonald and Lord were flying 102 Squadron Whitley Z9212 on Ops to Essen when the aircraft failed to return. Rogers was killed while McDonald and Lord became PoWs.
While a member of ground crew serving with 616 Squadron LAC Graham Williams was awarded the George Medal for his actions in saving an aircraft and life after an explosion and fire on 20th June 1941, Gazetted on 6th January 1942. The citation for his award states "In June 1941, ammunition in an aircraft exploded by spontaneous combustion. In spite of the explosions, Aircraftman Bland (AC1 Kenneth Bland RAFVR (1122529)) climbed on to the mainplane and unfastened the gun panels. By this time the ammunition tank was burning fiercely, so he released it from the gun. Leading Aircraftman Williams carried away the burning tank, which started to explode while he was carrying it. The presence of mind and courage shown by these two airmen undoubtedly saved the aircraft and probably the lives of the air crews and armourers who were emptying the remaining ammunition tanks. He baled out of Whitley Z9281 on 1st December 1941 over Dumfrieshire. He was killed on 16th / 17th April 1943 flying in 102 Squadron Halifax HR663 and is buried in Maubeuge Centre Cemetery, France.
Whitley Z6755 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 20th May 1941. It was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Topcliffe later the same month but was then transferred to 102 Squadron, also at Topcliffe, soon after. As a result of damage sustained on 16th July 1941 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. It was damaged again near Topcliffe on 19th October 1941 but this damage does not feature in the published Air Britain history. The air gunner's casualty file stated that the aircraft suffered Cat.B damage and this would generally result in an aircraft being taken away and repaired at a works factory. On paper the aircraft appears to have remained with 102 Squadron so it may have been downgraded to Cat.A damage and repair on site though no direct information has been found either way. The aircraft was transferred to 24 O.T.U. at Honeybourne probably around the time when the unit formed in March 1942. By April 1944 it had been placed into MU storage and was then struck off charge on 15th May 1944.