Halifax DG389 near Catterton.
On the evening of 19th July 1943 this 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being flown being used on a night time dual control training exercise when it lost power from the engines. A crash landing was made near Moat Farm, Catterton at 23.32hrs but the aircraft broke up and the wreckage caught fire. Those on board escaped with reasonably minor injuries.
Instructor Pilot - P/O John Richard McCormack DFC RNZAF (412004).
Trainee Pilot - F/O William James Williams RAFVR (133606). Injured.
Trainee Pilot - Sgt Knut Lindars RNAF (N.5133).
Wireless Operator? - Sgt Leslie William Powis RAFVR (1383084). Injured.
Possible other crew - Names unknown.
On the night of 12th / 13th August 1944 a commissioned Leslie Powis was flying in Halifax LW695 on Ops to Russelsheim with 76 Squadron when the aircraft crashed in Germany. The location of his grave is not known and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
P/O John McCormack had flown with 102 Squadron in late 1942 / early 1943 and for his service he was awared the DFC, Gazetted on 13th July 1943. The citation for his DFC reads.. "A high proportion of the sorties which this officer has completed with success have been attacks on heavily defended targets such as Berlin, Essen, Hamburg, »nd Munich. P/O McCormack's fine leadeiship has been largely responsible for the success of his crew, which has never failed to complete a sortie successfully and has frequently secured outstanding photographs." He instructed at 1663 HCU for eighteen months following his time with 102 Squadron and later returned to operational flying with 608 Squadron in 1944 and survived the War.