Lancaster DS688 at East Moor airfield.
At 20.35hrs on 29th November 1943 this 1679 Heavy Conversion Flight aircraft was being taxied around East Moor airfield when it ran into a stationary M.T. vehicle that was parked on the perimeter track. The aircraft received minor damage.
Pilot (Instructor) - F/Lt John Gordon McNeill DFC RCAF (J/9201).
Pilot (Pupil?) - F/O M C Wilson RCAF (J/7748).
John McNeill was born in Calgary, Canada 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 a 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 H.C.Flt 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.
F/Lt Wilson was flying 426 Squadron Lancaster LL721 on Ops to Berlin on 27th / 28th January 1944 when the aircraft was badly damaged by a night fighter. He and twof of his crew were made a PoW while four others were killed.