On the night of 22nd / 23rd November 1943 the crew of this 426 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield at 17.03hrs for an operational flight to bomb Berlin. The aircraft received extensive flak damage on this flight and damage was sustained to the bomb bay, mid upper turret and also to the general area around the pilot. The pilot was himself very lucky, a piece of shrapnel from a flak burst struck him on the top of the head but he escaped serious injury. The crew were able to make a safe return to base, landing at Linton on Ouse at 00.47hrs.
Pilot - P/O James Brown RAFVR (159067).
Navigator - P/O Victor Southwell RAFVR (158897).
Wireless Operator? - Sgt Bertram Vine RAFVR (1382623).
Bomb Aimer - P/O William Nelson McInnis RCAF (J/18816).
Air Gunner - Sgt R Thompson.
Air Gunner - Sgt William Stanley Burton RAFVR (657061).
Flight Engineer - WO2 Samuel Davidson RCAF.
William McInnes was also awarded a DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 6th June 1944.
Samuel Davidson was also awarded a DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd May 1944.
Bertram Vine received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 29th November 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He too was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 30th June 1944 for a tour which began on 29th May 1943. He remained in the RAF at least until May 1947.
William Burton had originally enlisted into the RAF for ground duties, serving as a signaller until re-mustering as aircrew in 1941. After training as an air gunner and later received a commission on 19th December 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 19th September 1944. Following his tour with 426 Squadron he instructed at 1666 HCU at Wombleton.
Victor Southwell received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 15th September 1943 and rose to F/O six months later. He too was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd June 1944 for a tour which began on the same date as Bertram Vine. Post war he continues his service until 1950 when he reliquished his commission on appointment to a commission in the Territorial Army. He later transferred back the RAFVR (Provost Branch) and finally reliquished his commission in the RAF on 22nd September 1968.