Beaufighter EL400 near Hornsea.
On 10th June 1943 this 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft was being flown on a training flight when height could not be maintained following the port engine failure. The pilot made a forced landing in a field near Great Hatfield, some four miles south west of Hornsea but the aircraft was badly damaged. The crew escaped injury but a fire destroyed the aircraft. The incident is recorded as EL300 in the unit records.
For his actions on this date Sgt Norman Webb was awarded the British Empire Medal, Gazetted on 7th September 1943. The citation adds a lot of detail to this incident and states.. "Sergeant Webb was navigator in an aircraft which, with ammunition aboard, crashed in June 1943. Flames rose high above the pilot's cockpit and the pilot was so affected by fumes that he was unable to extricate himself from the aircraft. Sergeant Webb went to his companion's aid and climbing on to a wing and standing over a petrol tank from which leaking petrol was burning, he assisted the pilot to safety. Immediately the two airmen were clear the tank exploded. Sergeant Webb displayed courage of a high order and un-doubtedly saved the life of the pilot.
Pilot - Sgt John Alastair Spence RAFVR (1096374).
Navigator - Sgt Norman Webb RAFVR (1144696).
Sgt Spence was posted from 2 (C)O.T.U. to an overseas squadron on 8th September 1943. He was killed on 16th June 1944 when his 39 Squadron aircraf crashed in Serbia. He is buried in Belgrade War Cemetery.
Norman Webb receieved a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 21st October 1944 (201744) in the RAFVR and was promoted to F/O (war subs) on 21st April 1945.
He remained in the RAFVR post-war until relinquishing his commission on 17th July 1958.