Halifax W7869 at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield.
On the night of 23rd / 24th October 1942 the crew of this 10 Squadron aircraft left Melbourne airfield at 18.15hrs to undertake the operational flight to bomb Genoa, Italy.
They later reported that through 10/10ths cloud cover they dropped their bombs on the marking fires when seen through breaks in cloud. They made a safe return to England but the aircraft landed heavily at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield at 03.55hrs, swung off the runway and a tyre burst. The undercarriage then collapsed.
Pilot - F/O James Arnold Harrison RNZAF (NZ.404870), of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
Second Pilot - Sgt Frederick Easton RAFVR (1331300).
Navigator - Sgt J Griffiths.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt George Robert Kent RAFVR (1172575).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Sidney Hubert Ewen RAFVR (1262225).
Air Gunner - Sgt J R Sands (Possibly Sgt Jack Richard Sands RAFVR (1577824)).
Flight Engineer - Sgt J Kirkpatrick (Sgt John Kirkpatrick RAF (816157)?).
Air Gunner - Sgt Oswald Drury Culverwell RAFVR (962422).
The Citation for his Distinguished Service Order from 17th November 1944, for service with 76 Squadron also flying Halifax's reads.. "Squadron Leader Harrison has completed two tours of operational duty during which he has attacked a wide variety of targets many of them far into enemy territory. He has set a magnificent example of skill, gallantry and devotion to duty, qualities which have been well illustrated in the high standard of operational efficiency of the flight he commands. On a recent occasion, Squadron Leader Harrison led a large formation of aircraft on an attack against Scholven Buer. By his outstanding skill this officer contributed in good measure to the good results obtained."
He died in Waipukurau in Hawkes Bay province on 12th August 1998. I thank his son for contacting me in March 2014.
Halifax W7869 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. On 30th September 1942 it was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Melbourne. As a result of the landing accident at Holme on Spalding Moor on 24th October 1942 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment and a repair on site was made. It was returned to 10 Squadron on 10th November 1942. The aircraft was then transferred to 419 Squadron at Middleton St. George on 20th February 1943. Probably due to damage located during a routine inspection on 8th March 1943 Cat.Ac damage was recorded on the aircraft's AM Form 78 and a repair on site was carried out by civilian contractors. It was returned to 419 Squadron on 17th April 1943. On 24th July 1943 it was transferred to 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit at Dalton shortly after the unit formed. The unit orb states that it had arrived on 8th July 1943 and was only their second aircraft to arrive. 1666 H.C.U. then moved to Wombleton on 21st October 1943. It remained with 1666 H.C.U. until being flown to 48 MU on 7th January 1945 where it was placed into MU storage. It was then struck off charge on 1st November 1945.
Frederick Easton received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 6th March 1943 (143728). For service with 10 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 13th July 1943, the citation for which reads..”This officer has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. It is characteristic of his ability and resolution that he has on only two occasions failed to secure photographs of the target area. His aircraft has been damaged several times by anti-aircraft fire, and once, over Duisburg, was attacked by two night fighters”. He later received promotions to F/O on 6th September 1943 and F/Lt on 6th March 1945. He flew a second tour with 640 Squadron and for this service he was awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 22nd May 1945. Details of his time with 640 Squadron can be found in Bill Norman's superb "Halifax Squadron" book detailing the history of 640 Squadron.
George Kent received a commission on 11th March 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (143587). He was awarded the DFM for his service prior to his commission with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943. He was promoted to F/O on probation on 11th September 1943 and F/Lt on 11th March 1945. He was awarded the DFC for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 13th April 1945.
Sgt Kirkpatrick was possibly a Sgt John Kirkpatrick and if so he received a commission on 5th April 1943 and was promoted to F/O on 5th October 1943. He was then awarded the DFC on for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th September 1944. He was serving with 171 Squadron by December 1944 and on 9th December 1944 he was flying in Halifax NA674 when the aircraft crashed in Germany. All on board were killed, he was twenty five years old and is now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Oswald Culverwell was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 9th February 1943. He was later posted to 434 Squadron but died on 29th January 1944 while flying Ops to Berlin in Halifax LK740 when the aircraft was shot down by flak. He was twenty three years old and is buried in Berlin War Cemetery. Why he was still in the same rank of Sergeant well over a year after this flak incident in September 1942 is not known. Alan Soderstrom's 434 Squadron website has a good article on this loss.
The pilot James Harrison was born in Hastings, New Zealand on 28th September 1914 and prior to enlisting into the RNZAF he was a farmer. His RNZAF service began on 30th November 1940 and he was de-mobbed on 15th September 1945. During this time he was awarded the DFC and DSO and served with 77 Squadron, 10 Squadron and 76 Squadron. Colin Hanson's book 'By Such Deeds - Honours and Awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999' states that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Gazetted on 8th March 1943, while serving with 10 Squadron it mentions a flak incident on 4th / 5th September 1942. The earlier crash refers to an accident to Whitley Z9221 on Kirby Malzeard Moor while serving with 77 Squadron, the citation reads..
"In March 1942, this officer was involved in a serious crash and sustained head injuries, a broken arm and crushed foot. Undeterred by the experience, Flight Lieutenant Harrison returned to operational duties immediately on his discharge from hospital and has since taken part in numerous sorties in the face of severe enemy opposition. Over Dusseldorf in September, 1942, his aircraft was held by searchlights and badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire. In November, 1942, whilst returning from Turin, his aircraft was repeatedly attacked by an enemy fighter which was eventually destroyed by his rear gunner. Throughout all his operations this officer has displayed exemplary determination and a grim resolution in seeking out and bombing his target. His fine leadership has been an inspiration to the squadron. On the night of 27th / 28th March 1942, when returning in bad weather from a raid on St. Nazaire, his aircraft crashed on the Yorkshire moors. His navigator was killed. Although suffering from head injuries, a broken arm and a crushed foot Flt Lt Harrison dragged his unconscious wireless operator from the burning aircraft before collapsing himself. After five months in hospital he returned to operational flying."