On the evening of 20th October 1943 the crew of this 102 Squadron aircraft took off from Pocklington airfield at 19.10hrs to undertake a night flying exercise. On landing back at Pocklington at 23.15hrs the aircraft touched down but ran out of runway, it crashed off the end of the runway and through a ditch wiping out the undercarriage. The damage was assessed and it was deemed beyond repair. Only the pilot's name is currently confirmed, his crew on this date was probably his regular crew.
Pilot - F/Sgt Kenneth Herbert Whittington RCAF (R/133936).
Crew - Probably as below.
Navigator - P/O William Robert McKinnon RCAF (J/21892).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt T Wallace.
Air Gunner - Sgt R Pay.
Air Gunner - Sgt Douglas William John Russell RAF (1811596).
Flight Engineer - Sgt S J Banks.
Bomb Aimer - P/O Harry Scott Horsfall RAFVR (138327).
Kenneth Whittington was born in Burk's Falls, Ontario, Canada in September 1916 but moved to Oshawa at the age of four. He was working with his brother in a radio repair buisness when he enlisted for RCAF service in Toronto in October 1941. He completed his training at 1658 HCU and was posted to 102 Squadron based at Pocklington on 27th August 1943. For service with them he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 27th June 1944. The citation for his award reads.."This officer has completed a tour of operational duty during which he has taken part in attacks on a wide variety of targets in Germany and France including such heavily defended objectives as Berlin, Hanover and Frankfurt. In December 1943, while on the way to the target, he encountered strong opposition from enemy fighters. The rudder of his aircraft was damaged and Flight Lieutenant Whittington had great difficulty in keeping to course. Nevertheless he flew on and successfully completed his mission. This officer's tour has been marked by the courage and skill he has displayed and the determination with which he has always pressed home his attacks." He was presented with his DFC on 22nd November 1948.
Kan Whittington's crew at 102 Squadron.