In mid-August 1942 this 102 Conversion Flight aircraft was being used for a solo night flying practice. Having taken off at 00.10hrs the pilot landed ten minutes later but on landing at Pocklington the aircraft swung to starboard, the swing was over-corrected and the aircraft then swing violently to port, ground looped and the undercarriage collapsed. The 102 Conversion Flight ORB lists the date as being 16th August 1942 but the date recorded on the AM Form 1180 is given as 18th August 1942.
Halifax BB197 was built to contract B.124357/40 by The London Passenger Transport Board at Leavesden and was received by 37 MU on 9th May 1942. It was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Topcliffe on 14th July 1941 before being transferred to the Conversion Flight at the same base. The date it transferred to 102 Conversion Flight is not given on the aircraft's AM Form 78. It then moved to Pocklington with is unit on 7th August 1942 and as a result of the mishap on 18th August 1942 Cat.E/FA damage was the result of the damage assessment. The aircraft was struck off charge on 21st August 1942.
Pilot - F/Sgt John Fielding Wrench Towse RCAF (R/72402).
John Towse later completed his Halifax conversion training. On 4th January 1943 WO2 Towse was the pilot of 102 Squadron Halifax W7910, he and his crew were undertaking a further
training flight over North Yorkshire when they were forced to land the aircraft in a field after an engine failure near Huby, Easingwold. The commissioned P/O John Towse was awarded the DFC, Gazetted 15th June 1943, whilst serving with 102 Squadron. He was born in 1917 in Toronto and lived in "Orillia" or "Oakville" before enlisting in Toronto on 24th September 1940. He was invested with his DFC by King George VI on 21st March 1944. He survived the War and later returned home where he died in Ottawa on 20th October 1988. His DFC citation reads.. "Warrant Officer Towse has a long operational record of attacks against a wide variety of targets and has been conspicuous for sustained courage, determination and endurance. He has been successful in attaining the primary objective on most occasions. A very capable and reliable captain of aircrew, this airman has earned the confidence of his crew by whom he has been a source of inspiration." He later instructed at 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe.
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