On 19th December 1943 this 433 Squadron aircraft was having its engines run-up on ground at Skipton on Swale airfield when Halifax HX245 crashed on top of it and the resulting fire destroyed both aircraft. All five airmen in HX245 were killed and one member of ground crew working on HX277 also died as well as at least two others injured. I have put the details of the crew of HX245 on its own webpage.
One of the members of ground crew, Cpl Butler, was seriously injured as a result of this accident and was later recommended for a Mention in Despatches by both the 433 Squadron Commanding Officer and also the base Commanding Officer. The recommendation states "Corporal Butler, on the morning of December 19th, 1943, was running the engines of aircraft "Q" Queenie in conjunction with Leading Aircraftman O'Connor and Leading Aircraftman McEvoy when aircraft "C" Charlie crashed while taking off and landed on top of the aircraft in which Corporal Butler was working. Both aircraft immediately burst into flame. Leading Aircraftman O'Connor was rendered unconscious by the crash and Corporal Butler, despite the intense flames, attempted to remove him through the pilot's escape hatch, but was unable to do so. In his attempt to remove his comrade, he stayed in the cockpit of the aircraft despite intense flames and smoke until almost overcome. It was only then that he thought of self-preservation and he crawled out of the pilot's escape hatch and jumped from the nose of the aircraft into a pile of flaming debris, thereby breaking both his heels. He proceeded to crawl on his hands and knees through the flaming mass. Corporal Butler showed outstanding courage and determination in his effort to save his fellow worker and I consider his gallant effort to rescue Leading Aircraftman O'Connor fully merits that he should be mentioned in despatches."
Fitter - Cpl Wilfred Martin Joseph O'Connor RCAF (R/89111), aged 23, of Mattawa, Ontario, Canada. Buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire (C/G/11).
Fitter - LAC Stephen Thomas McEvoy RCAF (R/158988). Injured.
Fitter - Cpl Pierce Whitman Butler RCAF (R/112066). Seriously injured.
Wilfred O'Connor was born on 28th May 1920 at Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada and was the son of Roger and Mary (nee Bryndle) O'Connor. He enlisted for RCAF service on 14th February 1941 and at that time was a trainee at the Galt aircraft school. He arrived in the UK later in 1941 and would serve as an airframe mechanic and fitter at 409 Squadron and 400 Squadron before posting to 433 Squadron on 25th September 1943.
Stephen McEvoy received a Mention in Despatches on 14th June 1945, the recommendation for which states "This airman is a very hard and conscientious worker and has often carried on for long periods of time under most adverse conditions in order to prepare his aircraft for operations. It is felt that he is a fine example to his fellow workers and a strong aid to his NCOs".
Pierce Butler received a Mention in Despatches on 8th June 1944. He died on 16th March 1963 on Prince Edward Island.