On 11th July 1942 those on this 102 Conversion Flight aircraft were undertaking a routine training exercise as part of 102 Conversion Flight's training program. This training flight involved a dual control familiarization and then an exercise involving flying with one of the four engines shut down. The student pilot was to undertake three engine approaches to land at Topcliffe airfield and then to practice overshooting on the three engines. During one of these practice landings and overshoots with the student at the controls the aircraft bounced and ballooned back into the air, with the speed of the aircraft low the instructor took control and opened the throttles with the aim of overshooting, he also attempted to unfeather the fourth engine but the aircraft would not pick up speed. With speed now decreasing he decided to attempt to force-land the aircraft and headed for Thirsk racecourse. As the aircraft came in to make the landing the tail of the aircraft caught a roof of a house along Station Road in Thirsk and the aircraft crashed onto the road next to the racecourse at 16.20hrs. Those listed below were slightly injured, the only civilian casualty was walking on the road at the time of the crash and this person received minor injuries. Four houses were damaged and all were later repaired. The only obvious sign of the accident on the repaired houses today are the porches at the front of the houses, they differ from others on the road.
Historian Ken Reast winessed the scene as a child when he was taken to this crash site by his mother. In February 2007 Ken returned to the crash site with historians Albert Pritchard and Eric Barton, they located small pieces of the aircraft in the gardens of the houses (with permission from the owners) to confirm which were the houses involved.
Instructor Pilot - F/O William James John Welch RAFVR (63469). Slightly injured.
Trainee Pilot - Sgt Richard Mathews RAFVR (785047). Injured.
Rear Gunner - Sgt John Gordon Castle RCAF (R/80601). Head injuries and admitted to hospital.
Flight Engineer - Sgt John Burdon RAF (621445).
Passenger / Fitter - AC2 L E Johnson RAFVR (1145411).
Halifax R9419 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was allotted to 102 Squadron on 25th December 1941. It was taken on charge by 102 Squadron at Dalton on 4th January 1942. On 10th April 1942 it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride then on 3rd May 1942 it was taken on charge by 1427 Ferry Training Flight at Thruxton possibly to be used in training aircrew for overseas ferrying duties but this appears to have been abandoned. On 17th May 1942 it was flown to 8 MU at Little Rissington then on 22nd May 1942 it was flown back to 12 MU at Kirkbride. On 2nd July 1942 it was taken on charge by 102 Conversion Flight at Topcliffe. As a result of the crash at Thirsk on 11th July 1942 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment. It was struck off charge five days later with just 56 hours total flying time to it's account.
William Welch received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation almost certainly in 1940, although the exact date is not yet known, he was graded as P/O on probation 10th April 1941 and was piloting Whitleys with 102 Squadron as far back as August 1941. He rose to F/O (war subs) on 10th April 1942 and was awarded the DFC as Acting F/Lt for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 11th August 1942, the citation reads.."As captain of aircraft F/Lt Welch has completed many sorties against targets in enemy and enemy occupied territory. Throughout he has displayed great courage and coolness and has inspired confidence in all who have flown with him. His complete disregard for danger, combined with his high standard of efficiency, have set an excellent example." He rose to F/Lt (war subs) on 11th April 1943. He was later posted to 77 Squadron and as Acting S/Ldr he was awarded the Bar to the DFC. The notification that he was to be awarded this appeared in the London Gazette on 13th October 1944. The citation reads.. "S/Ldr Welch has nearly completed his second tour of operational flying. Throughout his successful tours he has set a splendid example of skilful pilotage, cool judgment and determination which have been an inspiration to his squadron. His leadership has also been of a very high order and worthy of the highest praise."
F/Sgt Mathews was killed on 1st October 1942 in Halifax W7858 on Ops to Flensburg, the aircraft crashed into the sea and he was washed ashore near Kiel. He is buried in Kiel War Cemetery and was twenty six years old. His crew were never found and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
John Castle was born on 3rd December 1917 in Toronto and was the son of George Horsley and Nellie (nee Fitzroy) Castle. He was working in a chocolate factory when he enlisted for RCAF service in Toronto on 29th October 1940. On arrival in the UK he would train at 22 OTU before posting to 102 Squadron on 6th July 1942. Having received fairly serious injuries (including broken ribs and a broken bone in his back) in the crash at Thirsk he spent a few weeks in hospital before posting back to Pocklington sick quarters to recover. On 19th March 1943 he was posted to 1652 Conversion Unit to convert to fly the Halifax type and with this complete he was posted to 78 Squadron on 24th May 1943 having also just received a commission. He was killed on 24th August 1943 in Halifax JD310 on Ops to Berlin and shot down over the target. He was twenty six years old and his now buried in Berlin War Cemetery.
Flight Engineer John Burdon was later received a commission on 5th April 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). He was still serving with 102 Squadron when he died on 10th August 1943 in Halifax JD408, the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter on Ops. The twenty two year old is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. He was from Hunwick, Co.Durham.
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