On the evening of 26th November 1942 this 102 Squadron aircraft had flown a mine laying flight to the South Ameland or Nordeney areas. At 21.45hrs it landed heavily at Pocklington
on return and the undercarriage was damaged.
Pilot - Sgt Sidney Walter Templar RAFVR (1330718).
Navigator - Sgt Louis John Langham RAFVR (1337179).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt E Clarke (Possibly Sgt Eric Clarke RAFVR (1266102)).
Air Gunner? - Sgt A R James.
Air Gunner - "Sgt J L Hirst" (probably Sgt John Anderson Hurst RAFVR (1470142?)).
Flight Engineer - Sgt T S Strong (Possibly Sgt Thomas Sydney Strong RAFVR (1017804)).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Joseph Clack RAFVR (1269707).
Halifax W7920 was built contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It was taken on charge as new by 102 Squadron at Pocklington on 8th November 1942. As a result of the damage sustained on 26th November 1942 Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. It was returned to 102 Squadron on 30th December 1942. On 19th February 1943 while on an operational flight to bomb Wilhelmshaven the port inner engine cowling came lose and bent back causing minor damage, the pilot was able to land safely. Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment, it was repaired on site and was servicable by the end of the month. On 27th March 1943 it sustained flak damage, Cat.A/FB resulted and it was repaired on site at Pocklington. On 21st April 1943 it sustained battle damage on an operational flight to Stettin, Cat.A/FB damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired on site at Pocklington. On 28th May 1943 it sustained flak damage while on an operational flight to bomb Essen, Cat.A/FB damage was again the damage assessment and it was repaired at Pocklington. On 2nd July 1943 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage on the ground at Pocklington when a propeller broke off while the engines were being run up. The aircraft was again repaired on site and was returned to 102 Squadron on 5th August 1943. On 23rd September 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. Unfortunately on 5th October 1943 it crashed on landing at Riccall. Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 16th October 1943.
Sidney Templar received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 20th July 1943 and was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th November 1943. He remained in the RAF at least until 1953 when he was appointed to a permanent commission in the RAF on 29th April 1953.
Louis Langham was killed on 26th February 1943 when Halifax HR669 failed to return from Ops.
Joseph Clack was awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron in Autumn 1943, he had already received a commission and left 102 Squadron by this stage.
A BBC WW2 People's War post by John Hurst's son in law would suggest that he was the Hirst/Hurst involved in the incident detailed above despite an error in the name spelling and initials. He was he only Hirst/Hurst at 102 Squadron at this date.
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