Halifax DT518 struck by lightning, probably returned to Pocklington airfield.

On the night of 5th / 6th October 1942 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft were to undertake Ops to Aachen and left Pocklington airfield at 18.36hrs. Outbound and while over the Southend area the starboard inner engine was struck by lightning which also damaged the wireless equipment inside the aircraft. The crew opted to abort the operational flight and landed, probably back at Pocklington, at 21.56hrs.

Pilot - F/Sgt John Fielding Wrench Towse RCAF (R/72402).

Navigator - Sgt Eric Lee RAFVR (1012981).

Air Gunner - Sgt Alec Charles Walters RAAF (405255).

? - Sgt P/K H Kirkpatrick.

? - Sgt A T Raine (probably Sgt Arthur Thomas Raine RAFVR (998435)).

? - Sgt Bernard Higham Winnard RAFVR (978901).

Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt Gordon Arthur Richmond RAFVR (937837).

Halifax DT518 had a brief but eventful service history. It was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. On 19th September 1942 it was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Pocklington. It sustained minor damage by a lightning strike on 5th October 1942. The damage was very minor and assessed as being Cat.A/FB and was repaired on site. On 15th October 1942 it sustained flak damage, Cat.A/FB damage was again the assessment and it was again repaired on site. On 30th October 1942 it swung off the runway on take off from Pocklington resulting in the undercarriage collapsing. The aircraft was again assessed but this time the damage was too great to warrant a repair. Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment and it was struck off charge.
Of the crew listed above, Towse, Raine, Lee and Kirkpatrick survived the crash landing of Halifax W7910 near Huby, Easingwold on 4th January 1943.

John Towse was born in 1917 in Toronto and lived in "Orillia" or "Oakville" before enlisting in Toronto on 24th September 1940. He was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted 15th June 1943. 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."

Eric Lee later received a commission and was awarded the DFC for service with 139 Squadron, Gazetted during August 1944.

Gordon Richmond received a commission on 7th February 1943 and rose to F/O on 7th August 1943 and F/Lt on 25th November 1944. He was Mentioned in Despatches in June 1945.

Sgt Winnard was made a PoW on 3rd February 1943 when 102 Squadron Halifax W7921 was badly damaged by a night-fighter on Ops to Hamburg. He and two others baled out and survived but four others were killed.

On 15th September 1942 Alec Walters baled out of Defiant N3501 while training with 1484 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight. The aircraft then crashed at Hackness killing his then pilot. Flew a Tour with 102 Squadron. In 1944 he flew a second with 466 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for service with 466 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th December 1943. He survived the War and returned home to Australia. He later was to have five children before passing away in Brisbane, Australia in 1980.

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