Halifax R9434 at Sherburn in Elmet airfield.
On 27th July 1942 the crew in this aircraft were undertaking a training flight with 1652 Conversion Unit. During the course of the training flight a landing was made at Sherburn in Elmet airfield but the aircraft overshot the runway and onto some rough ground which slightly damaged the aeroplane.
Instructor Pilot - P/O Eric Thomas Borsberry DFM RAFVR (124666).
Rest of crew - Names unknown.
Halifax R9434 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 20th January 1942. It was initially staken on charge by 76 Squadron at Middleton St.George on 30th January 1942 but it does not appear to have been used on operations. On 27th February 1942 it was transferred to 78 Squadron at Croft and served with them until transferred to 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 15th May 1942. The state of Marston Moor airfield was so poor that 1652 Conversion Unit moved to Rufforth on 7th July 1942 but that was also deemed unservicable on 12th July 1942 so they moved to Dalton. As a result of this minor landing accident at Sherburn in Elmet on 27th July 1942 minor repairable damage of Cat.Ac/FA was the assessment and it was repaired there. On completion of the repair on 22nd August 1942 it was transferred to 158 Conversion Flight at Rufforth. On 1st November 1942 158 C.F. was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall but there is no record of this aircraft serving with 1658 H.C.U. on the AM Form 78. It sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage when on 4th January 1943 while with 1658 H.C.U. that was repaired on site. The repair was complete on 16th February 1943. On 18th February 1943 it was again slightly damaged to Cat.A/FA status with repairs on site being made. The aircraft was then transferred to 1674 H.C.U. at Longtown on 20th April 1944. On 13th June 1944 it failed a major inspection that saw Cat.E1 damage being the assessment, it was struck off charge on 21st June 1944.
Eric Borsberry was a Whitley pilot in the early part of the war, he had served with 102 Squadron and later 76 Squadron, he was awarded the DFM for service with 76 Squadron that was Gazetted on 4th August 1942. By the time his DFM was Gazetted he had already received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 15th May 1942. He rose to F/O six months later and to F/Lt two years after his commission.