Whitley Z9162 near Londonderry, Leeming.
During the early hours of 7th December 1941 this 10 Squadron aircraft was returning from failed Operational flight to Dunkirk with its full bombload when, at 22.40hrs the aircraft was in Leeming's circuit. The pilot was forced to take avoiding action as a 77 Squadron aircraft was
also in the area. Z9162 crashed into the roof of a house in Londonderry, near the airfield and crashed nearby. A fire broke out but the
crew were able to scramble clear with minor injuries.
Whitley Z9162 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 9th September 1941. It was taken on charge
by 10 Squadron by end the month at Leeming. As a result of this incident at Londonderry on 7th December 1941 Cat.E2/FB Burnt damage was the assessment and the aircraft
was written off.
Pilot - Sgt J W Barber (Probably Sgt John Wallace Barber RAFVR (1008486)).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Ronald Walter Bruce Blanchard RAFVR (934008).
Observer - Sgt W Archer.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Alfred Waterworth RAFVR (936068).
Air Gunner - Sgt A Brewer.
He received a commission on 13th May 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (146088) and he rose to F/O on probation (war subs) six months
later on 13th November 1943 and to F/Lt (war subs) on 13th May 1945.
Sgt Waterworth was killed flying in Whitley Z9315 on Ops to Emden on 26th January 1942 with 51 Squadron. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Ronald Blanchard was later awarded the DFM, the citation for which mentioned this accident at Londonderry although the story appears to be slightly
incorrect (the citation that follows has my amended comments in brackets). It was recommended while he was a F/Sgt and appears in the London Gazette in
July 1943, the citation reads.. "Early in his operational career, the aircraft in which F/Sgt Blanchard was flying as airbomber struck a house while
taking off (now believed to be an error). The crew only just managed to get clear before both the aircraft and its bombs exploded. In spite of this
harassing experience, F/Sgt Blanchard has continued to operate with underminished enthusiasm, and on many occasions has taken over air-bomber's duties
in an emergency. On one of his four flights to Essen, after the aircraft had been repeatedly illuminated by searchlights and forced down over the target,
the bombing run was finally accomplished."
It is likely that Sgt Barber was later posted to 102 Squadron and converted to flying the Halifax. On the night of 27th / 28th April
1942 the pilot who I link to this incident was the pilot of Halifax R9528 on Ops to Dunkirk, the aircraft crashed in the target area after being hit by flak. A number of the crew were able to evade capture and return to the UK but Sgt Barber lost his life and is buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France. He was twenty four years old.