Halifax JB970 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 23.07hrs and bombed from 18.000 feet but was slightly damaged by flak while over the target area. The crew were able to make a safe return to Elvington and land there at 04.45hrs.
Pilot - Sgt G B Ellis (Possibly Sgt Gwilym Beynon Ellis RAFVR (657095)).
Flight Engineer - Sgt F Brierley (Possibly Fred Brierley RAF (537128)).
Navigator - F/O Max Reginald Ashman RAFVR (120405).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Frederick Roberts Gilbey RAFVR (1436344).
Wireless Operator - Sgt C A Walsh.
Air Gunner - Sgt Stanley Arthur Richardson RAFVR (1231188).
Air Gunner - Sgt George William Mayo RAFVR (1211529).
Max Ashman received his commission on 19th January 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation and rose to F/O on probation (war subs) on 1st October 1942. He received the DFC for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th October 1943. He was later promoted to F/Lt (war subs) on 19th January 1944. For service with 582 Squadron he was awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted on 16th February 1946, the citation reads.."This officer has participated in numerous sorties against heavily defended targets in Germany and enemy occupied territory. He has proved himself a keen and skilful navigator. His courage and fortitude in the face of all hazzards, together with his consistant devotion to duty, merit high praise." He remained in the RAFVR post-war until reliquishing his commission on 27th March 1956.
George Mayo was killed on 6th September 1943 when flying Ops to Mannheim in Halifax JB970, the aircraft was attacked and badly damaged by a night fighter, three of the crew were able to bale out but Sgt Mayo and three others went down with the aircraft and were killed. He is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Stanley Richardson was still flying with 77 Squadron on 22nd October 1943 when he on board Halifax JB856 on Ops to Kassel, he and two other members of his then crew were killed while four became PoW's. He is buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
Frederick Gilbey was awarded the DFM for sercice with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th October 1943. He received his commission on 18th October 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (161687) rising to F/O on 18th February 1944 and F/Lt on 18th October 1945. He remained in the RAFVR after the war and relinquished his commission in the RAFVR on 11th January 1955.
If the Sgt Brierley listed above was indeed Sgt Fred Brierley then he was later posted to 76 Squadron and died on 27th September 1943 flying Ops to Hannover in Halifax DK266. The aircraft crashed in Germany and he is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery. He was the son of Booth and Annie Brierley, of Lees, Oldham, Lancashire and was 32 years old.
Similiarly, if Sgt Ellis was indeed Sgt Gwilym Beynon Ellis then he too was posted to 76 Squadron. He received his commission on 13th September 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation. He rose to F/O on 13th March 1944 He was awarded the DFC for service with 76 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th June 1944, the citation reads.."One night in May 1944. Flying Officer Ellis piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Hasselt. On the outward flight the aircraft was engaged by a fighter and sustained damage before the enemy aircraft was driven off. Although one engine was useless and the port mainplane had received damage, Flying Officer Ellis went on to the target which he attacked with. his usual determination. This officer, who is now on his second tour, has displayed exceptional keenness, great skill and courage." Reference to flying his second tour with 76 Squadron lends more weight to him flying his first with 77 Squadron. He was later promoted to F/Lt (war subs) on 13th September 1945.