Halifax HR930 damaged by flak, returned to Snaith airfield.

On 27th July 1943 this aircraft took off from Snaith airfield at 22.31hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Hamburg. This aircraft sustained damage by flak to the mid upper turret while over the target area and the crew bombed from 19,000ft at 01.07hrs. The crew were able to bring the aircraft back to Yorkshire and they landed safely at Snaith airfield in the early hours of 28th July 1943 at 03.44hrs.

Pilot - P/O Cecil Agar Lambert RAFVR (146864).

Navigator - P/O Jack Austin Wilkins RAFVR (146788).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Harry John Evans RAFVR (1551799).

Wireless Operator - Sgt Percy Alfred Newland RAFVR (1330769).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Edward Watson RAFVR (1127753).

Air Gunner - Sgt Charles Martin Johnson RCAF (R/83461).

Air Gunner - Sgt Gerald Alfred Warren RAFVR (1465627).

Second Pilot (attached from 1652 HCU) - "Sgt A Rostram" (Probably Sgt Alfred Rostron RAFVR (1499353)).

On 6th August 1943 Lambert, Watson, Wilkins, Evans, Warren and Johnson were air-testing Halifax HR783 when it crashed just south of York at Crockey Hill killing all on board. This incident is detailed on this website.

Cecil Lambert received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) on 8th May 1943. For service with 51 Squadron prior to his commission he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 24th July 1943.

Charles Johnson was the son of Martin and Geraldine Johnson of Windsor, Ontario and was born on 21st July 1922.

Jack Wilkins received his commission on 9th May 1943 to P/O on probation (emergency).

Percy Newland received his commission on 28th June 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency)(149161). He was awarded the DFC for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 25th September 1945. He survived the war and was not on HR783 when it crashed because he was in York being measured for an officers uniform.
Sgt Alfred Rostron later flew with 10 Squadron. On 27th September 1943 he was the pilot of Halifax JD272 which crashed in Germany on Ops to Hannover. He was twenty one years old and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.