Whitley Z6800 at Topcliffe airfield.
On 6th September 1941 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft were one of a number tasked with an operational flight to bomb Huls. While taxiing at Topcliffe prior to taking off
the aircraft struck another aircraft on the ground. The identity of the other aircraft is not yet known.
Whitley Z6800 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 6th June 1941 and was taken on
charge by 77 Squadron at Topcliffe later the same month before being transferred to 102 Squadron also at Topcliffe. As a result of the minor flak
damage on 1st September 1941 Cat.A/FB was recorded on the paperwork and the aircraft was repaired on site and returned to the unit. It sustained
minor damage on the ground at Topcliffe on 6th September 1941 and was again damaged by flak on 12th September 1941, it was twice repaired on site
and continued to be used by 102 Squadron until being lost on 30th November 1941 when it failed to return from Ops to Hamburg, Cat.E(m) was recorded
and sadly four of the five crew were killed with one being made a PoW.
Pilot - Sgt John Walter Stell RAFVR (1051815).
Observer - Sgt D C Wilson.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Charles "Maxie" Miller RAFVR (970515).
Air Gunner - Sgt J Williamson RAF.
F/Sgt Stell was later posted to 76 Squadron and lost on 4th June 1942 in Halifax R9457 on Ops to Bremen. He is listed on the Runnymede Memorial.
The aircraft crashed on land and in more recent years the crash site has been found and there is a possibility that human remains found at the site may be his.
Sgt Williamson was the only survivor of Whitley Z6800 on 30th November 1941 on Ops to Hamburg, the rest of his crew were killed and he became a PoW.