Halifax R9483 damaged by flak, landed at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 16th / 17th June 1942 this 35 Squadron aircraft was used on an operational flight to bomb Emden. The aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse at 23.01hrs. During the course of the night the aircraft was struck by flak bursts and damage was caused to the aircraft fuselage but this did not prevent a return to their base of Linton on Ouse and a landing being made at 04.49hrs. Many of this crew (Grainger, Harrold, Mennell, Gurton, Noakes) were later posted to 76/462 Squadron in the Middle East.
Pilot - Sgt H C Grainger / Granger.
Navigator - Sgt Charles Philip Harrold RAFVR (1180435).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Walter Harold Mennell RAFVR (1059210).
? - Sgt Stewart.
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Leon Francis George Noakes RAFVR (903074).
Flight Engineer - Sgt H Gurton (Probably Sgt Henry William Gurton RAF (514328)).
? - Sgt Murray.
Charles Harrold received a commission to the rank of P/O on Probation on 16th April 1943. He would later fly with 109 Squadron and was awarded both the DFC, Gazetted on 13th October 1944 and a Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 16th January 1945.
Halifax R9483 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 24th February 1942. As a result of the battle damage on 17th June 1942 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment. It was repaired on site at Linton on Ouse and on completion of repair it was transferred to 405 Conversion Flight at Pocklington on 9th September 1942. 405 Conversion Flight moved to Topcliffe on 7th October 1942 and was then absorbed into 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Leeming. On 8th November 1942 it was slightly damaged in a ground collision at Leeming that saw Cat.Ac/FA damage be the damage assessment, it was then repaired on site. The aircraft served with 1659 H.C.U. until 18th August 1944 when it had a damage assessment of Cat.B made though not as a flying accident assessment, probably during a major inspection. The aircraft was struck off charge on 30th August 1944.
Walter Mennell survived the ditching of Halifax V9978 on 18th December 1941 with 35 Squadron.
Leon Noakes' wartime operational flying had begun with 16 Squadron in May 1940, followed by service with 68 Squadron, 23 Squadron and 277 Squadron before posting to 35 Squadron in April 1942. He was part of the 76 Squadron detachment to the Middle East (with 76/462 Squadron) and then joined 462 Squadron. Back in the UK in 1943 he joined 7 Squadron. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 17th January 1944 and was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 19th May 1944 (with effect of 21st April 1944). He was killed flying with 7 Squadron on 23rd April 1944 when Lancaster ND592 failed to return from an operational flight to Laon, France. He is buried in Maizy Churchyard, France.