Whitley Z9148 damaged by flak, returned to Leeming airfield.
On the evening of 28th January 1942 a number of 77 Squadron crews undertook operational flights. The crew of this aircraft had taken off from Leeming at 17.30hrs. The crew bombed the primary target area from 11,000ft but the aircraft was hit twice by flak and slightly damaged, they were able to bring the aircraft safely back to England, believed to have been to base of Leeming, and landed before midnight.
Pilot - Sgt John Robert Affleck RAFVR (989022).
Second Pilot - P/O E Cane.
Observer - Sgt Nelson Leftly RCAF (R/54052), of Ottawa, Canada.
Wireless Operator - Sgt Spires (Probably Sgt Leonard George Spires RAFVR (1285153)).
Air Gunner - Sgt Raymond Frank Smith RCAF (R/4349).
Whitley Z9148 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was awaiting collection on 1st September 1941. It was then taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Leeming later the same month. As a result of flak damage on 27th October 1941 and then on 29th January 1942 Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment each time and both time it was repaired on site. In February 1942 it was allocated to 138 Squadron at Stradishall for Special Duties work but it seems unlikely that it was ever moved there as on 27th February 1942 it was lost flying with 77 Squadron when it failed to return from Ops to Wilhelmshaven and the crew of five were killed. Cat.E/m damage was recorded on the paperwork.
Nelson Leftly was born on 13th Novemner 1914 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and was the son of William Frederick and Eliza Mary (nee Armstrong) Leftly. He married Dorothy Grace Hearnden in 1936 and they had a baby daughter in 1939. He had worked as a salesman for Coca-Cola prior to enlisted for RCAF service on 21st June 1940 in Ottawa. He trained in Canada and was awarded his Air Observer badge on 15th March 1941. On arrival in the UK he trained at 19 OTU and was posted to 77 Squadron on 12th August 1941. He served with them until posting to 405 Squadron on 26th February 1942. He was killed on 8th April 1942 when Wellington Z8358 crashed into the North Sea on return from Ops to Hamburg. His body was eventually washed ashore in Norfolk, he was twenty eight years old and is buried in Great Bircham Churchyard, Norfolk. His younger brother Sgt Emerson Leftly RCAF (R/54056) died serving with 102 Squadron in November 1941. They enlisted together for RCAF service on 21st June 1940.
F/Sgt Raymond Smith was killed on 9th September 1942 while flying with 77 Squadron during their spell with Coastal Command. He was flying in Whitley "G"
on an anti-submarine patrol but nothing more was seen of the crew. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
P/O Cane was posted to 77 Squadron in January 1942 and was still at the unit when they began conversion to the Halifax type. Nothing more is known of him.
John Affleck was awarded the Air Force Medal, Gazetted on 2nd June 1943. He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on
23rd February 1943 (141865) and was then promoted to F/O on 23rd August 1943. After serving with 77 Squadron he briefly spent time at 24 OTU
before returning to operational flying with 161 (Special Duties) Squadron. For service with 161 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on
14th September 1943. He was also awarded the DSO for service with 161 Squadron, Gazetted on 7th March 1944. The citation for his DSO reads.."Since being awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has successfully completed many sorties, several of which have demanded a high degree of skill, courage
and determination. He is an outstanding captain, whose gallant example has inspired all." He was also awarded the Netherlands Flying Cross, Gazetted
on 9th October 1945 and the French Croix de Guerre.
F/Sgt Leonard Spires was killed when 77 Squadron Halifax DT625 crashed near Wheldrake on 20th December 1942, he was killed and is buried at Alperton Burial Ground, Middlesex.