Wellington HE868 damaged in the air, returned to Dishforth airfield.

On the night of 29th / 30th May 1943 this 426 Squadron crew and aircraft took off from Dishforth airfield at 22.20hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Wuppertal. The crew released their bombload over PFF target markers at 01.00hrs from 17,000ft through 5/10ths cloud. While flying over Hagen the aircraft was fired upon by anti aircraft defences and the aircraft sustained damage, later counted as being twenty eight holes in the aircraft. Despite the damage the crew were able to make a safe return to Yorkshire and land safely at base of Dishforth at 04.09hrs.

Pilot - F/Lt John Gordon McNeill RCAF (J/9201).

Second Pilot - Sgt William Frederick Griffin RCAF (later J/18916).

Navigator - F/O John Douglas Bernard Valentine Reffitt RAFVR (47458).

Bomb Aimer - P/O Roy Alexander Henry RCAF (J/17441).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt James Harvey Evans RCAF (R/114226).

Air Gunner - Sgt Henry Maxwell Smith RCAF (R/100881).

Wellington HE868 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong Ltd. at Hawarden and was taken on charge as new by 426 Squadron at Dishforth on 3rd April 1943. As a result of battle damage sustained on 30th May 1943 Cat.A/FB damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On 26th June 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 82 O.T.U. at Ossington. On 17th June 1944 it was transferred to 86 O.T.U. at Gamston and on 15th October 1944 it was transferred to 21 O.T.U. at Moreton in Marsh. On 19th October 1944 it was assessed as having sustained Cat.Ac damage and this required a repair on site by a team from Vickers. Once repaired it was returned to 21 O.T.U. charge on 4th November 1944. On 24th June 1945 the aircraft was flown to 48 M.U. at Hawarden and lasted until being struck off charge on 25th March 1948.
John McNeill was born in Calgary in 1919 and was a former member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals before enlisting into the RCAF in Kingston, Ontario on 10th June 1940. He received a commission in 1941 and was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted 13th August 1943. His DFC was presented to him at Buckingham Palace on 11th August 1944. The citation for his DFC reads.."The fine fighting spirit displayed by this officer has been an inspiration to the rest of the squadron. He has taken part in may recent heavy raids on the Ruhr and on one occasion in April 1943 completed his mission successfully although one engine failed while his aircraft was hotly engaged by the defences. As deputy flight commander he has rendered valuable assistance in the operational training of new crews and has contributed much to the high morale maintained in the squadron." He completed a Tour with 426 Squadron and was posted to instruct with 1679 H.C.U. becoming their Chief Flying Instructor. He was later posted to 415 Squadron as Commanding Officer. W/Co John McNeill DFC was killed in a flying accident on 21st August 1944 whilst serving with 415 Squadron when Halifax NA609 collided with Halifax MZ633 and both aircraft crashed near West Haddlesey, Selby, Yorkshire. He is buried at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery and was twenty five years old.
Having received a commission Henry Smith was still flying with 426 Squadron on 18th August 1943 in Lancaster DS681 with the squadron's Commanding Officer W/Co Leslie Crooks. The aircraft crashed in Germany and sadly all but one member of the crew were killed. P/O Smith was twenty four years old and is buried in Berlin War Cemetery.
James Evans was born in Kitchener, Ontario in 1921 and was living in Waterloo when he enlisted into the RCAF in Hamilton in July 1941. For service with 426 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 10th September 1943. The citation for his DFM reads.. "This airman has performed consistently good work over a long period of operational flying. He has always shown coolness and courage under fire and a fine fighting spirit. By his efficiency as a wireless operator Flight Sergeant Evans has, on more than one occasion, assisted in a safe landing."
Roy Henry was born in Toronto in 1919 and enlisted into the RCAF there in May 1941. He received his commission in 1943 and was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th August 1943. The citation for his DFC reads.. "In capacity of air bomber he has taken part in many operational sorties attacking such heavily defended targets as Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, Frankfurt and the Ruhr Valley. He has also successfully laid mines in enemy waters. This officer's keenness and determination under fire have been of the highest order and the accuracy of his bombing has been displayed in photographs. At all times his courage, skill and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to his crew."
William Griffin attended Punta Gorda school in Florida, USA as a child but returned to Hamilton, Ontario at the age of eighteen to enlist into the RCAF in 1941. On the night of 20th / 21st December 1943 he was the pilot of 426 Squadron Lancaster DS716 which failed to return from Ops to Frankfurt. He and all his then crew were made PoWs. On 18th April 1955 he was flying RCAF Sabre 23249 when the aircraft crashed near Chatham, New Brunswick killing him. He is buried at Hamilton (Woodland) Cemetery, Ontario.
John Reffitt was born in London and educated at Cambridge. He initially served as a member of the Royal Artillery receiving a commission as a 2nd Lt on 29th November 1941 but later transferred to the RAF. He was granted the rank of P/O on 1st September 1942 in the General Duties Branch of the RAFVR and was later promoted to F/O (war subs) on 1st March 1943 and F/Lt (war subs) on 1st September 1944. He flew his first Tour with 426 Squadron in 1942/43 and was awarded the DFC for service with 426 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th September 1943. The recommendation for his DFC, as located by Hugh Halliday, reads.. "This officer has participated in numerous bombing sorties over enemy territory and has also taken part in several mine-laying sorties. The navigational skill displayed has been of the highest order and he has never failed to guide his aircraft over the target within the very narrow time limits allowed. On the ground he has rendered valuable assistance with the training of new crews and has, on several occasions, taken over the duties of Squadron Navigation Officer. His outstanding ability and devotion to duty are, in my opinion, worthy of recognition. I recommend the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross." He later spent time with 1679 HCU and 1655 MTU before joining the PFF and flew two tours with 105 Squadron between May 1944 and June 1945. He was awarded the Bar to the DFC for service with 105 Squadron, Gazetted on 22nd May 1945, the citation for his DFC reads.. "This officer is now engaged on his third tour of operational duty. He has completed a very large number of sorties against a wide range of important targets, including numerous attacks against vital and difficult targets in France in support of the invasion forces. At all times he has set an excellent example of navigational skill, courage and determination." After the War he became a Roman Catholic priest and died in May 1988.

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