Wellington BJ762 at Dishforth airfield.
During the evening of 21st January 1943 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft were tasked with a mine laying flight around the Frisian Islands and left base at 16.54hrs, dropped their load
and were back at base of Dishforth at 21.55hrs. Upon landing the starboard undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft sustained damage. The crew escaped injury.
Pilot - Sgt George Stuart McMenemy RCAF.
? - Sgt Harvey Wesley Fenton RCAF.
? - Sgt J M Holtby.
? - Sgt R G Williams.
? - F/Sgt H A Whelan.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Thomas Walter Pragnell RAFVR (1219197).
George McMenemy was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1920 and enlisted into the RCAF there in May 1941. He flew his first operational flight as a second pilot on 2nd December 1942 and took part in 426 Squadron's first operational flight as captain on 14th January 1943 and received his commission in March 1943, by mid-May 1943 he had been posted to 405 Squadron but for service with 426 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 15th June 1943. The citation reads.. "This officer has participated in numerous sorties against all types of targets in enemy territory and also in mine-laying patrols in enemy waters. His objectives have included Essen, Mannheim, Kiel and Duisburg. Pilot Officer McMenemy has invariably displayed exceptional determination to press home his attacks and has produced photographs which amply illustrate the success of his attacks. His courage and resourcefulness have at all times been an inspiration to other members of the squadron." He completed at least fifty operational flights before being rested and then acted as an instructor in the UK before returning to Canada in April 1944. He later served in Transport Command flying mail aircraft overseas. He left the RCAF at the end of the War but later re-joined as a pilot in 1952 before taking up a post in civilian flying. Hugh Halliday's RCAF awards research has been drawn upon for creating this account on the pilot's service.
Thomas Pragnell RAFVR (1219197) was killed flying with 432 Squadron on 16th December 1942.
Wellington BJ762 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in June 1942. It was initially flownn to 45 MU on 29th July 1942 and was taken on charge by 426 Squadron at Dishforth on 11th November 1942 soon after they formed. It's first operational flight was on 21st January 1943 and as a result of the damage sustained minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 426 Squadron on 6th March 1943. On 30th March 1943 it was lost on Ops to Bochum. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded while three of the five man crew were killed and two became PoW.