Manchester L7523 near Holmpton, Withernsea.
On 14th January 1942 this 207 Squadron aircraft took off from base of Bottesford at 17.35hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Hamburg but outbound the aircraft is believed to have suffered a failure of one of the two engines. The crew turned back and had jettisoned the bomb load well before they came in over the Yorkshire coast, the aircraft was seen flying northwards up the Yorkshire coast with its port engine on fire, soon afterwards it crashed into a field at 20.45hrs close to the Yorkshire coast near Cliff House Farm, Holmpton near Withernsea. All on board were killed. A memorial was erected next to Holmpton church in the mid 2000's. Cliff House Farm has since been lost to the sea by coastal errosion.
Manchester L7523 was built to contract 648770/37/C4(c) by A.V. Roe Ltd. at Chadderton and was awaiting collection in October 1941. It was taken on charge as new by 207 Squadron at Bottesford on 31st October 1941. As a result of the damage sustained in the crash at Holmpton on 14th January 1942 Cat.E2/FB damage was the assessment. The aircraft was struck off charge on 24th January 1942.
Pilot - F/Sgt Basil Courtney Wescombe RAF (523056), aged 25, of Bitterne Park, Southampton. Buried Falmer Church Cemetery, Sussex.
Second Pilot - F/Sgt Frederick Edward Thomas RAF (1111152), aged 26, of Warrington, Lancashire. Buried Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Observer - Sgt Eric Ronald Harper RAFVR (925454), aged 19, of Tooting, Surrey. Buried Wandsworth Cemetery, London.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Leonard Sieve RAFVR (902414), aged 23, of Knutsford, Cheshire. Buried Failsworth Jewish Cemetery, Lancashire.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Claude Raymond Westbury RAFVR (961733), aged 21, of Nottingham. Buried Norringham Church Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.
Air Gunner - Sgt John Thomas Howe RAFVR (1194389), aged 20, of Rugby. Buried Whinfield Cemetery, Rugby, Warwickshire.
Air Gunner - Sgt Maurice Robert Walker RAF (641700), aged 19, of Wallasey. Buried Wallasey Cemetery, Cheshire.
Eric Harper was born in Lowestoft on 2nd May 1922 and enlisted into the RAFVR in May 1940. After initial training in the UK and South Africa he continued his training at 25 O.T.U. at Finningley before posting to 207 Squadron on 3rd November 1941. At the time of his death his mother was living in Tooting, London.
Fred Thomas' grave at Brandesburton, Yorkshire.
A large memorial commemorating the crew of this aircraft is to be found at Holmpton Church.
