Tiger Moth T7685 at Shipton, north of York.
On 31st July 1942 this aircraft was on a flight from Middleton St.George back to Clifton airfield near York with the pilot's intended destination being No.4 Group HQ at
Heslington Hall, the Unit used Clifton airfield as it's flying base and the aircraft was making for a landing there. The aircraft was used as a staff officer's run-about
aircraft. At 10.30hrs nearing Clifton thick fog was encountered, with visibility reduced to 25 yards the pilot attempted to force-land the aircraft near Shipton at a site
known locally was Primrose Hill. This is thought to have been about a mile west of Shipton village. On approach to land in the poor visibility the aircraft clipped a hedge
and crashed onto it's side, destroying both sets of wings. Both occupants of the Tiger Moth were uninjured.
Pilot - S/Ldr David Alexander Willis DFC RCAF (40331), of St.Boniface, Manitoba, Canada.
Passenger - Name unknown.
He was recommended for the DFC on 10th November 1939, an extract from a report by W/C W.E. Staton, MC, DFC, Commanding Officer of 10 Squadron stated that "during raid on Berlin on the night of 1st/2nd October 1939. On arriving at the position where nickels [leaflets] had to be dropped, Pilot Officer Willis relayed my instructions to the crew detailed to carry out this operation. After some five minutes had elapsed, I inquired as to progress. P/O Willis was unable to ascertain the
state of affairs and he therefore crawled aft and discovered the second wireless operator in a state of collapse with
the first wireless operator endeavouring to assist him. P/O Willis came back and reported the state of affairs. He gave me a
change of course, then returned, finding both wireless operators collapsed. With considerable difficulty he managed to drag the
first wireless operator back into his cabin; this entailed pulling him a distance of some 25 feet through a small tunnel. This in
itself required very considerable determination, since P/O Willis had himself been without oxygen for about ten minutes at a height of
22,500 feet. He then crawled back and endeavoured to get the second wireless operator clear of the turret so that he himself
could bale out nickels. During this time I spoke to the tail gunner by inter-communication, and he informed me that he was
locked in his turret on account of it freezing up. I ascertained, however, that nickels were falling behind and by this I realized
that P/O Willis was active. After another ten minutes nickels ceased to fall and I decided that P/O Willis had also lost consciousness.
I thereupon descended to 9,000 feet and the tail gunner reported that his turret had freed itself. I instructed him to go forward and
render what assistance he could, and at the same time continue to bale out nickels. Before he went forward he reported to men that
he could see P/O Willis moving about. I gave him instructions to go forward and tell P/O Willis to return to the navigator's cockpit;
this he did. He arrived back in the cockpit in a state of distress, but he immediately took up his job as navigator, setting a
new course for the first leg of the return flight."
On 11th November 1939 the Commanding Officer at Dishforth added his opinion:" I concur in the recommendation made by Officer Commanding No.10 Squadron in respect of Pilot Officer D.A. Willis. In the action recounted above the officer showed coolness and determination which resulted in the operation ordered being completed successfully." Air Commodore Commanding, No.4 Group, added on 25th November 1939 that "the success of the operation referred to herein, the first occasion on which Berlin was visited, was due in no small measure to the excellent example of this very able Canadian officer. The particular incident related herein, for which I strongly recommend recognition, showed gallantry and initiative which has since been followed by enthusiastic work of the same high standard.
He later served at No.4 Group Headquarters, York and at 31 ANS at Port Alberta, Canada from February to July 1942. He ferried Mitchell FL215 to Britain in July 1942. He was Staff Officer (Liaison) to USAAF 8th Air Force in April 1943. He was posted to Calcutta in August 1944 as staff officer to Lieutenant-General Stratemeyer. He
transferred to RCAF (service number being C53455). He was also awarded U.S. Bronze Star Medal on 6th December 1945 for "meritorious service during the period 18th
October 1944 to 21st April 1945. As Bomber Operations Officer, Eastern Air Command,
W/Co Willis's superior supervision over all bombing activities of the combined British and American Forces in the Command,
and his handling of administrative technical problems, gained and maintained the utmost respect of both the USAF and RAF officers.
His untiring devotion to duty has contributed largely to the success of the integrated effort, and reflects the highest credit
on the military forces of the United Nations". He was also awarded the Legion of Merit (Officer) on 15th July 1947 whilst a member of the RCAF when he "performed meritorious service with the United States Eighth Air Force from December 1942 to September 1943. Wing Commander Willis co-operated greatly in training United States units in navigation in the European theatre of operations. His broad knowledge, his patience, and his resourcefulness enabled him to make a fine contribution to the bombing operations of United States units. His achievements reflect great credit upon his nation and upon the Royal Air Force". Postwar he commanded Station Summerside in 1951 and was awarded the Queen's Coronation Medal on 21st October 1953 when a Wing Commander at AFHQ. He was at SHAPE from 1959 to 1962 and Commanding Officer at Station Winnipeg from 1962 to 1965 holding the rank of Group Captain. On retirement he became an administrator with the Department of Labour, Ottawa from 1966 to 1980. He died in Ottawa on 27th July 1984. His widow published a biography, "Left Hand Salute".
Tiger Moth T7685 was built to contract B20916/39 by Morris Motors Ltd. at Cowley and was delivered into RAF MU in February 1941 on an unknown date. Also on an unknown
date it was issued to Clifton / York Station Flight, but later was transferred to No.4 Group Communications Flight, also based at Clifton. It sustained Cat.E2/FA damage in
the incident near Shipton, to the north of York, detailed above on 31st July 1942.
A great deal is known about David Willis thanks to the efforts of historian Hugh Halliday to whom I credit. David Willis was born 2nd September 1914 in St.Boniface, Manitoba. He was appointed Acting P/O on Probation on 28th November 1937. He served with 10 Squadron from outbreak of War to 27th November 1939 when he was injured. The then F/O Willis (40331) was awarded the DFC whilst serving with 10 Squadron, the awarded as per London Gazette dated 7th May 1940 but there was no citation other than "for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations." But information was found by Mr Halliday stating that "a leaflet raid over Berlin gave another officer his opportunity which led to an award. Both his wireless operators collapsed, owing to the altitude at which the aircraft was flying. He dragged them to his cabin, afterwards baling out leaflets until he in turn collapsed."