Halifax LK895 at Tholthorpe airfield.

During the evening of 8th September 1943 the crew of this 431 Squadron aircraft undertook a training flight when. During the flight the air speed indicator failed. On landing at 22.40hrs at Tholthorpe it came in too fast, swung and ground looped. It came to rest blocking Runway 28 with an undercarriage leg collapsed. This was the first Halifax written off by 431 Squadron since it converted to the type.

Pilot - F/Sgt Robert Percival Rubie RAFVR (1384445).

Crew - Names unknown.

Robert Rubie was born at St.Ann's Bay, Jamaica on 4th May 1913 and was living there when he enlisted for RCAF service in 1941. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 15th October 1943. He was awarded the DFC for service with 431 Squadron, Gazetted on 15th September 1944, for a Tour with 431 Squadron which began on 15th March 1943 and continued until at least June 1944.

In his Bomber Command Losses book William Chorley gives the pilot of Halifax LK895 as being "F/Sgt E V Rubie". I cannot find any mention of anyone with this name as serving with 431 Squadron around this time. The name of Robert Rubie I list is confirmed through the service number contained in the squadron record book. There was an E.V.Elder who served with 431 Squadron but who was then killed with 434 Squadron later in September 1943 but he has a completely different service number.

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