Halifax JD264 damaged by flak, returned to Snaith airfield.

On 3rd July 1943 this aircraft took off from Snaith airfield at 23.29hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Cologne. This aircraft sustained slight flak damage over the target area but the crew released all but one of their bombs over the target at 01.47hrs from 18,000ft. The one hung-up bomb was later jettisoned before they crossed the English coast an the area off the Humber and they landed safely at Snaith airfield on 4th July 1943 at 05.08hrs.

Pilot - Sgt Thomas James Bishop RAFVR (1314760).

Navigator - Sgt James Arthur Neve RAFVR (657901).

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Kenneth Herbert Isaac RAFVR (1046285).

Wireless Operator - Sgt John Lawrence Boulter RAFVR (1334424).

Flight Engineer - Sgt Alan Charles Wales RAFVR (1092612).

Air Gunner - Sgt Herbert Turnham RAFVR (1699853).

Air Gunner - Sgt Alfred Samuel John Holder RAFVR (920754), of Miserden, Gloucestershire.

John Boulter was granted a commission in the RAFVR on 21st August 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (155960). For service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 15th February 1944. He was promoted to F/O on 21st February 1944 and to F/Lt on 21st August 1945. He remained in the RAF until relinquishing his commission on 20th May 1966.
Kenneth Isaac was granted a commission in the RAFVR on 20th August 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (155898). For service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 15th February 1944. He was promoted to F/O on 20th February 1944 and F/Lt on 20th August 1945.
James Neve was granted a commission in the RAFVR on 4th Augsut 1943 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) (155997). For service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 15th February 1944. He was promoted to F/O on 4th February 1944 and F/Lt on 4th August 1945. He served a second Tour with 109 Pathfinder Squadron. After the war he later served in the Territoral Army and was awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial) in 1997 when it was stated that he was a former member of this branch. He died in March 2006.
Alan Wales was awarded the DFM for service with 51 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th February 1944. He received a commission on 13th April 1944 (176221) and was promoted to F/O on 13th October 1944 and F/Lt on 14th April 1946. He remained in the RAF until 1st July 1955.
Herbert Turnham was born in Oldham in March 1924. For service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFM, Gazetted on 15th February 1944 He doesn't appear to have ever received a commission but later served with 148 Squadron in the SOE. In 1944 he was shot down He died in 1992.
Alfred Holder received his commission on 24th October 1943 (160621), for service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 15th February 1944. He was promoted to F/O on 24th April 1944. Having been posted to 199 Squadron he was killed on 3rd May 1945 when Halifax RG373 collided with another from the same unit over the target of Kiel in the last operational bombing raid of the War. He was one of the oldest members of Bomber Command at the ripe old age of 43 years old and is buried in Kiel War Cemetery. At the time he was flying with 51 Squadron he was more than twice the age of his fellow crew member and air gunner Sgt Bert Turnham.
Thomas Bishop flew his first operational flight with 51 Squadron as a second pilot on 29th/30th May 1943 with P/O Wilson and his crew in Halifax HR838 to Wuppertal. He received his commission to P/O on probation on 4th August 1943 (155011). For service with 51 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 3rd December 1943 The citation reads.."P/O Bishop has participated in a large number of sorties and has displayed great skill and determination, qualities which have on more than one occasion enabled him to achieve success in the face of difficult circumstances. He is a most efficient captain, whose example has inspired all." He was promoted to F/O on 4th February 1944 and F/Lt on 4th August 1945. After the war he remained in the RAF until retiring on 15th February 1956 on the grounds of medical unfitness.