Halifax DT673 damaged by flak, belly landed at Leeming airfield.
On the night of 3rd / 4th April 1943 the crew of this 408 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to bomb Essen. They set out from Leeming at 19.50hrs and received flak damage that prevented the undercarriage from being lowered. On their return to Leeming at 02.07hrs the undercarriage would not lower despite the crew trying various methods so the aircraft was belly landed. All on board survived uninjured.
Pilot - F/Sgt F W Wood RCAF (R/76545).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert William Duncanson RAFVR (972332).
Navigator? - F/Sgt I/L J Palmer.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt John Henry McNess RAFVR (1391023).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O Conel O'Connell RAAF (403033).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Jack Berton Cameron RCAF (R/92203).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O William Alexander McIlroy RAF (50572).
Of those listed above Wood, Palmer and Cameron were flying together on 2nd February 1943 in Halifax DT682 on a transit flight when an engine caught fire and F/Sgt Wood made a forced landing in Nottinghamshire, all on board sustained injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
John McNess received a commission on 25th June 1943 (to the rank of P/O on probation) and on that night, the 25th / 26th June 1943
he was killed flying in Halifax JB858 on Ops to bomb Gelsenkirchen. He was thirty three years old and is now buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
William McIlroy received a commission on 25th August 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was promoted to F/O on probatiom (war subs) on 25th February 1943. After this incident at Leeming he next flew again on 8th April 1943 on Ops to Duisburg with F/Sgt Blackhall as his pilot. His next flight was on the night of 14th / 15th April 1943 and P/O O'Connell was with him on this occasion flying Ops to Stuttgart in Halifax JB909, the aircraft was attacked and badly damaged over France and William McIlroy was injured in this action, their pilot was able to hold the aircraft steady while his crew baled out. Sadly the pilot did not survivor and his body was found in the wreckage, the other members of his crew survived; one evaded capture and five including McIlroy became PoW's. In 2005 the villagers in La Neuvillete erected a memorial at the crash site with William McIlroy present at the dedication and their
webpage has further information on the crew and the loss. The RAF continued to promote officers while they were PoW's and William McIlroy rose to F/Lt (war subs) on 25th August 1944. Post-War he remained in the RAF and transferred to the Technical Branch on 30th January 1952 (seniority of 25th February 1946). After a long career he finally retired from the RAF on his own request as Squadron Leader McIlroy, B.Sc., C.Eng., M.R.Ae.S., A.F.I.M.A. on 18th May 1976. William McIlroy's son Simon documented his father's life in the book "POW 3267".
Jack Cameron was the son of Wesley and Jenny Cameron and was born on 8th December 1915. Following this mishap at Leeming in April 1943 he later received a commission. On the night of 14th / 15th January 1944 he was flying in Lancaster DS767 on Ops to Braunschweig (Brunswick) and failed to return. He was twenty nine years old and is now buried in Hanover War Cemetery.
Conel O'Connell was born on 11th October 1920 in Pretoria, South Africa, he enlisted into the RAAF in Sydney, Australia. At the time of his being made a PoW his father was living in Snodgrass Cottage, Pacific Highway, Asquith, Sydney.
Robert Duncanson was born in 1911 in Rothwell, Dumfries but later lived in Middlesbrough. He received a commission on 5th April 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) and was promoted to F/O on probation (war subs) on 5th October 1943. The mishap at Leeming occurred on the return from his 15th operational flight and he did not fly operationally again until 25th July 1943. He later served with 432 Squadron and was awarded the DFC with them, Gazetted on 8th December 1944 while in the rank of Acting F/Lt. Hugh Halliday's awards research has found the recommendation for his DFC dated 9th September 1944 when he had flown thirty operational flights between 9th January 1943 and 9th June 1944 and it stated that.. "This officer has a fine operational record of attacks on many major targets. Throughout his tour he has displayed a high standard of proficiency, skill and keen devotion to duty. Flight Lieutenant Duncanson has been the Squadron Engineer Leader for the past ten months and in that capacity his ability and success in developing new crews has consistently been of the highest order." "For his splendid record of achievement in his ground duties as well as in the air, this officer is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross." He was promoted to F/Lt (war subs) on 5th April 1945. Post-War he remained in the RAF and was promoted to F/Lt on 1st November 1946 (with seniority of 5th October 1946). He transferred to the Aircraft Control Branch of the RAF on 5th November 1951 (with seniority of 5th April 1949) and finally retired on 13th August 1961.
Nothing is known about the pilot, F/Sgt F W Wood's wartime days other than that he signed his name on the famous Betty's Tea Room mirror in York.
Halifax DT673 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 408 Squadron at Leeming on 13th December 1942. As a result of the damage sustained on 4th April 1943 at Leeming Cat.B/FB damage was the initial damage assessment that saw it dismantled and transported to Y.A.R.D. at Clifton on 23rd April 1943 for a repair in works. On 3rd August 1943 the damage was re-assessed and it was deemed more serious so was Re.Cat.E and struck off charge.