Anson R9699 at Finningley airfield.

On 4th September 1942 this 25 O.T.U. aircraft swung on take off at night from Finningley airfield at 23.30hrs and struck Wellington DV494. The Anson was badly damaged and not repaired.

Anson R9699 was built to contract B.32842/39 by A.V.Roe & Co. Ltd. at Newton Heath and was awaiting collection in August 1940. It was taken on charge by 500 Squadron the following month and based at Detling. In early 1941 it had a short spell on charge with 13 OTU at Bicester before returning to 500 Squadron at Detling. In April 1941 it was placed in MU storage where it remained until 1942 when it was taken on charge by 25 OTU at Finningley. It sustained minor Cat.Ac damage on 7th August 1942 when the tail wheel collapsed while taxying and this damage would have been repaired on site. As a result of this crash on 4th September 1942 Cat.E2/FA damage was the result of the assessment and it was written off.

Pilot - Acting W/Co Ernest Edward Collins DFM DSO RAF (44932).

Ernest Collins was a former Halton Apprentice. He was awarded an immediate DFM for service with 44 Squadron in September 1940, the citation was a joint one with his then navigator, it reads.. "Sgt E.E. Collins, Sgt R.S. Ayton. One night in September 1940, Sgt Collins was the pilot and Sgt Ayton the navigator and bomb aimer of an aircraft which successfully carried out dive bombing attacks on a concentration of barges at Ostend Harbour. On arrival over the target area, reconnaissance runs were made, during which the three most vital parts of the target were selected as objectives. The splendid qualities of piloting and planning of Sgt Collins, coupled with the accurate navigation and skilful bomb-aiming of Sgt Ayton resulted in three successful dive attacks, in which direct hits were made. Three nights previously these airmen together carried out a divebombing attack from 11,000 feet to 2,000 feet, when direct hits destroyed large buildings of a factory and six chimney stacks. A large fire followed, which was visible for 70 miles. Sgt Collins has a fine record of good work in over 200 hours of operational flying, while Sgt Ayton has displayed skill, efficiency and coolness under harassing conditions." Sgt Ayton was awarded the Bar to the DFM weeks later before ending the War a PoW.

Ernest Collins received his commission to P/O on probation on 16th November 1940 (with seniority back dated to 6th November 1940). He then received the following promotions; to F/O (prob) on 16th November 1941 (with seniority again back dated ten days to 6th November 1941), to F/Lt (war subs) on 17th January 1942 and to S/Ldr (temp) on 14th November 1942. As Acting F/Lt he was awarded the DSO for service with 50 Squadron, Gazetted on 21st November 1941, no citation has been located. What happened to him after November 1942 is not yet known.

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