Halifax W1251 damaged by flak, returned to East Moor airfield.
On the night of 10th / 11th September 1942 this 158 Squadron Halifax took off from East Moor airfield to undertake an operational flight to Dusseldorf. Before reaching the target area it was hit by flak in the flight engineer's compartment which injured the flight engineer in the shoulder. The crew continued their attack on the target and landed back at East Moor at 01.36hrs without further incident. The flight engineer was admitted to Station Sick Quarters to receive treatment for his injuries.
Pilot - P/O Charles Lionel Sparke RAFVR (108539).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Ronald Edlington RAF (569765). Injured in the shoulder.
Navigator - P/O Jack Biddulph Aris RAFVR (118649).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Rayden Frederic Watson RCAF (R/67968).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Harry Middleton RAFVR (1127130).
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt Arthur Donald Lewis RCAF (R/92577).
Rear Gunner - Sgt Clifford George Dawson RAFVR (1075562).
This photograph shows Charles Sparke and his crew standing in front of Halifax W7777. Left to right - unknown (but probably Dawson), Collyer, Aris, Edlington, Sparke, Middleton and Watson. It was found on a superb French website detailing their loss, the web address is "www.histavia21.net/HISTAV2/SAONELOIRE-1942.htm"
P/O Sparke and crew completed their conversion training with 158 Conversion Unit at East Moor on 11th July 1942. Sparke flew his first operational flight with half of the crew involved in the incident detailed above on 21st July 1942 to Nantes in Halifax BB208. All of the above named apart from Sgt Dawson were killed on 11th December 1942 when Halifax DT579 crashed in France. P/O Collyer was one of the oldest in Bomber Command at thirty one years old. All were buried at Villeneuve-en-Montagne Communal cemetery. Charles Sparke received a commission on 11th October 1941 to P/O on probation (emergency), rising to F/O (war subs) on 1st October 1942. His rank was Acting F/Lt when he died.
Jack Aris received a commission on 7th March 1942 to P/O (emergency), rising to F/O (war subs) on 1st October 1942. CWGC list no personal information for him, however a search of the English birth index would suggest he was born in Sevenoaks, Kent in 1915.
Rayden Watson received a commission (J/16430) on 23rd October 1942 and had reached the rank of Flying Officer at his death.
Denis Collyer was also commissioned soon after this incident on 18th September 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation.
P/O Dawson was killed on 3rd April 1943 and was still serving with 158 Squadron when Halifax DT635 crashed in Germany, he now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. He had received a commission on 19th February 1943 to P/O on probation (emergency).
Arthur Lewis was born in Hardieville, Alberta in 1916 and was living in Lethbridge when he enlisted in Calgary in February 1941. He flew with 158 Squadron operationally between 31st July 1942 until 13th October 1942 and then spent the next few months off operational flying. He resumed on 26th January 1943 until 5th August 1943 and then not again until November 1943. He was posted to 434 Squadron in June 1943 and flew as the Commanding Officer W/Co Harris' mid upper gunner and acted as gunnery leader. He was recommended for the DFC on 24th March 1945 after completing thirty operational flights between 31st July 1942 and 27th February 1945 (with a number of interruptions). His DFC notification appeared in the London Gazette on 17th July 1945 when he had risen to the rank of Acting F/Lt. The recommendation reads.. "Flight Lieutenant Lewis has completed a tour of operations, the majority of which were attacks against such major German targets as Berlin, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. He has at all times displayed devotion to duty and courage of a very high order. As gunnery leader he has proven himself a tower of strength to the squadron, commanding the respect and admiration of all those under him."
Halifax W1251 was built to contract B982938/39 by English Elecric Co.Ltd at Samlesbury and was delivered directly to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds on 9th August 1942 but was soon transferred to 158 Squadron at East Moor on the same date. Following flak damage on 11th September 1942 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment. It was repaired on site and was returned to service by 13th September 1942. It suffered Cat.B/FB damage following Ops to Aachen on 6th October 1942 when it suffered an undercarriage collapse on landing at Manston. It was repaired in works by Handley Page and on completion of repair it was issued to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe on 12th April 1943. It sustained minor Cat.Ac/FA damage on 25th August 1943 when a propeller blade on the port inner propeller broke off while the aircraft was taking off and struck the fuselage. It was repaired on site at Topcliffe. On 6th November 1943 the aircraft suffered an engine fire which resulted in the break up of a wing and the aircraft crashing on the Isle of Man. Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge after some delay on 28th December 1943.