Halifax JB788 damaged by flak, returned to Elvington airfield.
On the night of 13th / 14th May 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft were tasked with flying an operational flight to bomb Bochum and took off from Elvington airfield at 23.53hrs, they bombed from 13.000 feet but was slightly damaged by flak whilst over the target. The crew were able to make a safe return to Elvington and land there at 04.58hrs. The aircraft was damaged by flak three times in May 1943.
Pilot - Sgt S Richardson (probably Sgt Selwyn Richardson RAFVR (1230989)).
Flight Engineer - Sgt J J Stephens.
Navigator - Sgt J Swallow.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt D McF Boyd.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Harry Taylor RAFVR (1204582).
Air Gunner - Sgt L A Foster (Probably Sgt Leslie Arthur Foster RCAF).
Air Gunner - Sgt Rolph Henry King RCAF (R/109695).
The pilot was probably Selwyn Richardson RAFVR (1230989), he was awarded the DFM for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 12th November 1943.
He was granted a commission on 6th September 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (158546) and later rose to F/O on 6th March 1944 and F/Lt on 6th September 1945. He flew a second Tour with 692 Squadron and for this he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 14th November 1944.
Sgt Foster was possibly Sgt Leslie Arthur Foster RCAF and if so then he was later granted a commission posted to 405 Squadron PFF. He was killed flying with them on 28th April 1944 while flying in Lancaster JA976 on Ops to Montzen. He was twenty six years old and is buried in Webbekom Churchyard, Belgium. He was married to Florence Foster of Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Harry Taylor flew his first tour with 77 Squadron between January and September 1943, he later flew a second tour with 102 Squadron which he completed in October 1944. He was granted a commission on 19th August 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (157976) rising to F/O on 19th February 1944 and F/Lt on 19th August 1945. He was award the DFC for his service, Gazetted on 16th February 1945 and the recommendation reads.."Flight Lieutenant Taylor has completed one tour of operations in Bomber Command and has to date flown on another nine sorties during his second tour. These trips have included long anti-submarine patrols, attacks on German targets such as Berlin, Essen, Cologne, Hamburg and Dusseldorf and also objectives in occupied territory. Flight Lieutenant Taylor has at all times shown himself most keen to proceed on operations; he is ready to fly with any crew at any time. His courage, efficiency and enthusiasm have reflected in the high standard of the Section of which he is leader." He remained in the RAF until 16th May 1957, his medal set sold at auction in 1999.
Rolph King was born on 5th April 1920 to George and Elizabeth King, of Windsor, Ontario. On the night of 21st / 22nd June 1943 Sgt King was flying Ops to Krefeld in Halifax JD205 when the aircraft was shot down by a night fighter, all at the front of the aircraft baled out and survived to become PoW's but Sgt King and the other air gunner were killed. He is buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and was promoted to Warrant Officer after his death.
Halifax JB788 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4 by English Electric Co. Ltd. at Samlesbury and was flown to 18 MU at Dumfries as new on 27th February 1943. The aircraft was taken on charge by 77 Squadron at Elvington on 4th May 1943. It sustained Cat.A/FB damage assessments following minor flak damage incidents on 14th May 1943, 26th May 1943, 28th May 1943 and 10th July 1943. After each incident a repair on site was carried out. On 30th September 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 466 Squadron at Leconfield and on 17th November 1943 it was transferred to 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit at Marston Moor. On 29th December 1943 it crash landed off Drub Lane, Cleckheaton following a propeller detachment on a training flight. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 10th January 1944 having clocked up some 296 flying hours from new.