Halifax JD165 damaged by flak, returned to Pocklington airfield.
On the night of 11th / 12th June 1943 this aircraft was one belonging to 102 Squadron that had carried out an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf, this crew set out at 23.10hrs and had successfully carried out their orders. The aircraft received minor flak damage but the crew were able to make a safe return to base, landing safely at 04.57hrs. The bomb aimer appears to have received a slight injury on his eyebrow caused by the flak burst.
Pilot - Sgt Bryan Rigg Moss RAFVR (1063992).
Navigator - Sgt Robert Ashton Simpkin RAFVR (1432330).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt William George Thomas Hayden RAFVR (1205125).
Air Gunner - Sgt E J Pearse/Pearce RAFVR (1850655?).
Air Gunner - Sgt Daniel Harrison RAF (641277).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Leonard Todd RAFVR (1039503).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt K J Symes.
On the night of 25th / 26th June 1943 most of the above were flying Ops with 102 Squadron when their Halifax received one small flak damage hole.
Robert Simpkin was later posted to 76 Squadron and was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 19th September 1944. He received a commission on 31st August 1945 and remained in the RAF at least until 1974.
Sgt Daniel Harrison was still serving with 102 Squadron on 28th July 1943 when Halifax JB864 failed to return from Ops to Hamburg. He is buried in Hamburg Cemetery and was twenty one years old.
Bryan Moss was awarded the DFM for service with 102 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd November 1943 the citation reads.. "This airman has completed very many sorties, involving attacks on a wide variety of important targets. He has invariably displayed a keen desire to press home his attacks and his efforts have been highly commendable. On several occasions his aircraft has been damaged but each time he has flown it safely to base. Flight Sergeant Moss is an excellent captain whose fine example has been reflected in the high morale of his crew." He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 22nd August 1943 and then rose to F/O six months later and to F/Lt two years after his commision.
Leonard Todd was born on 7th December 1922 in Helmsley, North Yorkshire and was the son of Joseph and Gladys (nee Bell) Todd (which just happens to be the same market town where I grew up). He enlisted for RAFVR service on 9th April 1941 initially for ground crew duties, serving as an airframe fitter. In 1942 he remustered as aircrew to train as a flight engineer and after receiving his flying badge in early 1943. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 14th January 1944 and then received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 21st March 1944, rising to F/O six months later. He was awarded the DFC for service with 466 Squadron, Gazetted on 25th May 1945 and before returning to civilian life served with 246 Squadron. He possibly died in Bridlington, North Yorkshire in 1985.