Wellington BK471 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the night of 23rd / 24th March 1943 this aircraft was one of a number of 426 Squadron Wellingtons that were used on a mine laying operational flight. On their return to Yorkshire
one aircraft crashed on landing at Dishforth in poor weather. All the other returning crews were diverted away; one landed at Pocklington and the rest landed at Linton on Ouse. On
landing at Linton on Ouse at 22.46hrs this aircraft was taxiing around the airfield when the crew noticed that part of track which they were to have travelled over was damaged. The second pilot,
Sgt Wildin, got out of the aircraft to investigate the damage and indicated to his captain that the aircraft should turn onto a perimeter track away from the damage. The pilot braked
to allow Sgt Wildin to climb back on board but he then walked into the rotating starboard propeller and suffered arm and head injuries. He was taken to hospital but survived.
Second Pilot - Sgt Leonard Albert Wildin RAFVR (1425784). Seriously injured.
Pilot - F/Lt John Gordon McNeill RCAF (J/9201).
Navigator - Sgt Albert Frederick Hopley RCAF (R/136282).
? - Sgt R A Henry.
? - Sgt F Hickman (Possibly Sgt F A Hickman RAFVR (1315606)).
Air Gunner - Sgt Francis Edward Fox RAFVR (1392519).
F/Sgt Albert Hopley was killed on 14th May 1943 while serving with 426 Squadron when Wellington HE697 in Holland on Ops to Bochum. He is buried in Amersfoort General Cemetery, Netherlands.
Leonard Wildin recovered from his injuries and received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 17th October 1944 (186942) and was promoted to F/O on 17th May 1945.
On 2nd September 1946 he was flying in Lancaster PA966 on a training flight when the aircraft lost height and crashed into a tree near Swinderby airfield and sadly he was killed. He is buried at Willesden New Cemetery, Middlesex.
John McNeill was born in Calgary in 1919 and was a former member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals before enlisting into the RCAF in Kingston, Ontario on 10th June 1940. He received his commission in 1941 and was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted 13th August 1943. His DFC was presented to him at Buckingham Palace on 11th August 1944. The citation for his DFC reads.."The fine fighting spirit displayed by this officer has been an inspiration to the rest of the squadron. He has taken part in may recent heavy raids on the Ruhr and on one occasion in April 1943 completed his mission successfully although one engine failed while his aircraft was hotly engaged by the defences. As deputy flight commander he has rendered valuable assistance in the operational training of new crews and has contributed much to the high morale maintained in the squadron." He completed a Tour with 426 Squadron and was posted to instruct with 1679 HCU becoming their Chief Flying Instructor. He was later posted to 415 Squadron as Commanding Officer. W/Co John McNeill DFC was killed in a flying accident on 21st August 1944 whilst serving with 415 Squadron when Halifax NA609 collided with Halifax MZ633 and both aircraft crashed near West Haddlesey, Selby, Yorkshire. He is buried at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery and was twenty five years old.
Francis Fox received a commission in February 1944. he was still serving with 426 Squadron when he was killed on 26th March 1944 when Lancaster DS789 failed to return from Ops to Essen. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
Wellington BK471 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in November 1942. The aircraft was allotted to 466 Squadron at Driffield and, on paper, was taken on charge by them on 8th November 1942. By late-November 1942 they had already begun to exchange their few existing Wellington MkIII's in favour of Wellington Mk.X. It was taken on charge by 426 Squadron at Dishforth on 7th December 1942. 426 Squadron first flew the aircraft operationally on 3rd February 1943 and it was damaged on landing at Coltishall when it collided with a lorry. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that it received minor Cat.Ac/FB battle damage on this date. It was repaired on site by a team from Vickers at Weybridge and was returned to 426 Squadron on 5th March 1943. The aircraft was involved in a ground accident on 24th March 1943 when it's then second pilot walked into a rotating propeller and sustained serious injuries. On 4th May 1943 the aircraft passed to 18 OTU at Finningley. On 17th May 1943 Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted when the tail wheel assembly at Finningley airfield. It was repaired on site by a team from Vickers at Weybrodge and retrned to 18 OTU on 2nd October 1943. On 21st October 1943 it crashed at Rossington Hall while making an approach to land at Bircotes airfield, sadly five airmen died. Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment of the wreckage and it was written off.