On the night of 11th / 12th August 1943 the crew of this 466 Squadron Wellington were one of a number of crews undertaking an operational flight to lay mines in the waters of the Lorient. The Wellingtons were flown down to Stanton Harcourt where they were re-fuelled and then set out at 23.03hrs for the operational order. They dropped their mines from 600 feet at 01.45hrs and around this time the aircraft was slightly damaged by flak. The crew made a safe return to Leconfield at landed at 05.46hrs. The aircraft was not flown with 466 Squadron again following this damage as the squadron converted to Halifaxes in September 1943.
Pilot - Sgt Harold Callaway Wills RAAF (412787).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Donald Neil Rankin RAAF (412839).
Navigator - Sgt Richard Anthony Fitch RAFVR (1335548).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Frederick Cuncliffe RAFVR (1072609).
Air Gunner - Sgt H W Clark RAF (1390820).
Harold Wills was born on 18th March 1917 in Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia and enlisted into the RAAF in Sydney on 20th July 1941. He was married to Raynor Hope Nisbet and at that time his wife is listed as being St.Annes Rectory, Strathfield, New South Wales (her father was a vicar living at that same address).
Donald Rankin was born on 15th October 1913 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia and enlisted into the RAF in Sydney. For service with 466 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 13th October 1944.
Richard Fitch received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 26th October 1943 (160847) and rose to F/O on 26th April 1944.
Frederick Cunliffe received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 21st February 1944 (173301) and rose to F/O on 21st August 1944. He was Mentioned in Despatches in June 1945.