Stirling EF357 at Topcliffe airfield.
On the night of 1st / 2nd October 1942 this 149 Squadron aircraft was one of eight detailed to bomb submarine yards at Herrenwyk, Lubeck. This aircraft took off from Lakenheath at 19.47hrs and the crew released their bomb load over the target area through haze. All the 149 Squadron aircraft were diverted to land at Topcliffe and this aircraft landed there at 03.48hrs. The aircraft remained there until the afternoon of 3rd October 1942. While taking off from Topcliffe at 15.29hrs to return to Lakenheath one of the main tyres burst, the aircraft swung off the runway and the undercarriage leg collapsed.
Pilot - Sgt Henry John Hart RAF (655066).
Observer - Sgt Lewis John Warren RNZAF (NZ.41632)
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Hugh Clarence Whitwell RNZAF (NZ.412372).
Air Gunner - Sgt "H R Batrick" (probably Sgt Hedley Richard Battrick RAFVR).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Alfred William Corker RAF (570419).
Bomb Aimer (Front Gunner) - Sgt Kenneth George McKenzie RNZAF (NZ.404571).
Air Gunner - Sgt Harry Ian Forsyth Connolly RNZAF (NZ.412887).
On 10th October 1942 all but Sgt Battrick were killed when 149 Squadron Stirling BF348 crashed at Great Cressingham, Norfolk. Hedley Battrick died in November 2012 after a short illness.