Wellington HE653 damaged in the air, landed at Croft airfield.
On the night of 26th / 27th March 1943 the crew of this 427 Squadron aircraft were undertaking an operational flight to attack Duisburg. In the 427 Squadron records it states that this aircraft hit a tree in England while returning to base. A safe landing at Croft was made at 00.41hrs and minor Cat.Ac damage was the assessment of the damage.
Pilot - F/O Vaughan Francis Ganderton RCAF (J/10133).
Second Pilot - Sgt Donald Franklin McFadden RCAF (R/99534).
Navigator - P/O William Ernest Paul Soeder RCAF (J/13272).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Frederick John Thompson RAFVR (1269696).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Charles Arthur Boyd RCAF (R/126478).
Air Gunner - F/Sgt Harold Garfield Froude RCAF (R/71759).
Wellington HE653 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd, at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in February 1943. The aircraft was issued to 18 M.U. on 28th February 1943 and was taken on charge by 427 Squadron at Croft on 6th March 1943. As a result of hitting a tree while airborne on 27th March 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the damage assessment. It was repaired on site and returned to 427 Squadron on 3rd April 1943. As a result of a minor taxying mishap at Croft on 28th April 1943 Cat.A/FA damage resulted and it appears to have been repaired very quickly because on 2nd May 1943 it was transferred to 432 Squadron at Skipton on Swale. The aircraft was then transferred to 27 O.T.U. at Lichfield just days later on 18th May 1943. On 22nd December 1943 it struck birds on take off from Lichfield and while the then pilot was trying fly a circuit of the airfield it made a crash landing. Cat.E/FA Burnt damage was the result of the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 1st January 1944. By that date it had clocked up just short of 300 flying hours.
Vaughan Ganderton was born in Alberta, Canada in 1914 and listed into the RCAF in June 1941. He was posted to 427 Squadron in February 1943. On 28th / 29th June 1943
he was the pilot of damaged Halifax EB148 on Ops to Cologne, the aircraft was abandoned over Cambridgeshire but all survived. For service with 427 Squadron he was awarded
the D.F.C., Gazetted on 23rd July 1943. The citation for his D.F.C. reads.."One night in June 1943, this officer piloted an aircraft detailed to attack a target in the Ruhr.
During the operation the bomber was severely damaged by gunfire when attacked by an enemy fighter. Although the entire rudder control was shot away, Flight Lieutenant
Ganderton, displaying superb skill, succeeded in flying the damaged bomber back to this country. In the face of a perilous situation, this officer displayed commendable
courage and determination."He was posted to No.6 Group HQ as Operations Controller in December 1943 but returned to 427 Squadron as Commanding Officer in September 1944
until May 1945. He was awarded the D.S.O. for service with 427 Squadron, Gazetted on 21st September 1945, the citation for which reads.."Wing Commander Ganderton has proved
himself to be a most resourceful and skilful pilot who has successfully completed many hazardous attacks on highly defended targets in enemy territory. During an attack
on Julich in November 1944, one engine of his aircraft became unserviceable before crossing the French coast, but despite this handicap he continued his mission and
pressed home the attack successfully. On other occasions Wing Commander Ganderton has completed dangerous missions on three engines. His aircraft has been damaged
by anti-aircraft fire on several sorties but he has always succeeded in returning safely to base. He has led his squadron with distinction during his second tour of
operations and his fine example in the face of the enemy has been an inspiration to all serving under him." I credit Hugh Halliday with the RCAF awards research. In
2009 a new accomodation block at RAF Leeming was dedicated in his memory.
F/Sgt McFadden and Sgt Boyd were flying Wellington HE744 on 29th / 30th March 1943 on Ops to Bochum and were lost without trace, they are both commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
P/O Froude was killed on 26th June 1943 with 427 Squadron when Halifax DK190 failed to return from Ops to Gelsenkirchen. He is buried at Gorssel General Cemetery, Netherland.
William Soeder was killed on 31st March 1944 with 427 Squadron when Halifax LV923 failed to return from Ops to Nuremburg. He is buried in Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium.