Unidentified Wellington injury in the air, landed at Leconfield airfield.

The only reference to this incident that I have currently located is within Driffield airfield record book "AIR28/222" which states that on 29th April 1943 "a Wellington took off for a sea search, whilst circling the aerodrome, a round of ammunition exploded when being pushed into the belt. The air gunner was injured in the finger, the aircraft landed and the injured man admitted to sick quarters".

At the time of this incident the Driffield record book was also recording events at Leconfield. 466 Squadron and 158 Squadron were based at Driffield at the time and neither flew sea searches on this date. 196 Squadron were based at Leconfield and three of their aircraft did fly sea searches on this date but their squadron records do not give any indication that anyone was injured. The three aircraft and their crews are listed below. The first of which landed an hour before the other two, perhaps this is an indication that there was an injury on board? This incident may therefore relate to one of these aircraft...

Wellington HE362.
Pilot - F/O Robert Henry Blyth RNZAF (NZ.414581).
Navigator - Sgt Kenneth James Campbell RNZAF (NZ.411857).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Clifford Cole RAFVR (1333031).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Dennis Latham RAFVR (1194413).
Air Gunner - Sgt Michael Frederick Dillon RNZAF (NZ.411866).

Wellington HE362.
Pilot - P/O William Huntly Mallinson RAFVR (128955).
Navigator - P/O Ernest James Weston RAFVR (129601).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt John Samuel Checketts RAFVR (1575207).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt E Walls RAFVR (1270695).
Air Gunner - Sgt R C Bullivant RCAF (R/149288).

Wellington MS488. All killed on 13th May 1943.
Pilot - Sgt Jack Greenfield RAFVR (1315254).
Navigator - Sgt Robert Burridge RAFVR (1385003).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt William O'Neill RAFVR (1367121).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Kenneth Foster Bell RAFVR (1165211).
Air Gunner - Sgt William Eddington RAF (553011).

Back to monthly table.