Wellington DK184 damaged by flak, returned to Leeming airfield.
On the night of 22nd / 23rd June 1943 the crew of this 427 Squadron aircraft were tasked with undertaking an operational flight to bomb Mulheim and took off at 23.35hrs. A minute before releasing the bombload at 01.56hrs the aircraft received minor flak damage. The crew made a safe return to base, landing at Leeming at 04.35hrs.
Pilot - S/Ldr Cyril Henry Earthrowl RAFVR (69450).
Navigator - F/O Alexander Marlow Stockdale RCAF (J/10407).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Reginald James Hayhurst RAFVR (128419).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Robert Vollum RAFVR (139641).
Air Gunner - Sgt Frederick Dollis Smith RAFVR (1219212).
Air Gunner - P/O Graydon Maurice Thornton RCAF (J/16938).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Richard Norris Dobney RAFVR (1432546).
Reginald Hayhurst was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 21st August 1942 and rose to F/O on 21st February 1943. On 12th / 13th March 1943 he was flying an operational flight in Wellington BK164 which saw P/O Roderick John Heather RCAF (J/16756) being killed by flak and a crash landed at Stradishall on return to England following severe battle damage. The surviving members of his crew were all awarded medals for their actions on this night. Gazetted on 13th April 1943, his citation was a joint one with his pilot and adds more detail about this incident, it reads.."One night in March 1943, Wing Commander Burnside and Pilot Officer Hayhurst were captain and bomb aimer of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. When nearing the target area the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire. One of the crew was killed and another severely wounded, while the aircraft sustained damage. The aileron control was affected, while the windscreen de-icing glycol tank burst, drenching Pilot Officer Hayhurst and filling the forward part of the bomber with suffocating fumes. Despite this, Pilot Officer Hayhurst directed his captain to the target, which was successfully bombed and a good photograph obtained. The aircraft was held by searchlights for a few minutes but Wing Commander Burnside skilfully evaded the defences and set course for home. On the return flight the aircraft encountered enemy fighters, but each time he shook them off. Displaying fine airmanship he flew the aircraft back to an airfield in this country." Another member of the crew, F/Sgt Geoffrey Keen, has part of a foot blown away in the flak burst that killed P/O Heather, he acted as navigator after P/O Heather was killed and was recommended for the Victoria Cross for his actions though this came through as an award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
Reg Hayhurst was promoted to F/Lt on 21st August 1944 and remained in the RAFVR until 8th January 1959.
Alexander Stockdale was born in Montreal in 1917, his father John Stockdale had fought in WW1. He was educated at Longueill High School and Sir George Williams College, he also served as scoutmaster of St.Mark's Troop, Longueill. When he enlisted in May 1941 he was employed by Shawingian Water and Power Company in Montreal. He was posted overseas in April 1942 and after further training he begun his operational flying on 14th September 1942 with 408 Squadron. He later flew with 427 Squadron and he was recommended for the DFC on 15th January 1944 when he had flown twenty six operational flights. The DFC was granted and notification was printed in the London Gazette on 21st April 1944 and at the time he was serving with 429 Squadron. The recommendation as located by historian Hugh Halliday reads.."Flight Lieutenant Stockdale has taken part on many operations against the most heavily defended targets in Germany, including three attacks on Berlin. His brilliant navigation and enthusiasm for his work have contributed greatly to the success of these sorties. As Squadron Navigation Officer, by his hard work and fine example, he has done much to raise the standard of Squadron Navigation to a high level."
Cyril Earthrowl was born in 1921. He begun his first Tour in November 1940 with 99 Squadron and after completing it a year later he served as an instructor for a time flying two of the 1000 Bomber raids in May/June 1942. He received a commission in the RAF 12th June 1941 to the rank of P/O on probation and was later promoted to F/O (war subs) on 12th June 1942. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 1st January 1943 and was promoted to F/Lt on 8th May 1943. He begun a second Tour of operational flying in February 1943 with 427 Squadron and for service with 427 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 13th August 1943. Following the completion of his second Tour nothing more is known of his wartime flying. After the war he served as a BOAC pilot for many years before leaving the company at the end of 1975. He died in New Milton, Hampshire in November 2012.
Richard Dobney received a commission on 16th December 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency). By January 1944 he was serving with 434 Squadron and baled out of Halifax EB256 on 29th January 1944 over Flixton on return from Ops. He rose to F/O (war subs) on 16th June 1944 but left the RAF on the grounds of medical unfitness on 25th November 1945. He was born in 1923, married in early 1943 and died in 1991 all in the Spalding area of Lincolnshire.
Graydon Thornton was born in 1911 in Birtle, Manitoba, Canada. He was awarded the DFC for service with 427 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th November 1943.
Halifax DK184 was built to contract ACFT/891/C4 by Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. at Stockport and was taken on charge as new by 427 Squadron at Leeming on 6th May 1943. As a result of battle damage sustained on Ops on both 30th May 1943, 23rd June 1943 and 29th June 1943 the aircraft received a Cat.A/FB damage assessment each time and a repair on site was made each time. On 24th August 1943 the aircraft failed to return from Ops to Berlin, Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork which saw the aircraft struck off charge on 5th September 1943 having clocked up 158 hours total flying time from new.