On 19th August 1943 the crew in this aircraft took off from Riccall at 10.20hrs to undertake a cross country flying exercise. Forty minutes later and while flying at about 1000 feet this aircraft collided with Halifax DG420 that had just taken off from Rufforth airfield. After the collision this aircraft lost it's tail, banked steeply to port and climbed steeply before diving into the ground near Copmanthorpe to the south-west of York and sadly all on board both aircraft were killed. The rear gunner of this aircraft was seen to attempt to bale out but his parachute did not deploy properly. It was stated that the crew of this aircraft were found to blame, Halifax Dg420 was flying directly into the sun at the time, R9497 was flying out of the sun towards DG420 and they had no reason not to see DG420. On impact burning fuel was spread over a wide area and covered two civilians who were working in fields alongside Copmanthorpe Lane. The younger of the two civilians probably saved his elders life by beating the flames out though both spent many months in hospital. Mr Brian Mennell's book "Wings Over York" gives a good account of this incident and he has found a number of witnesses to the crash. I do not wish to copy his work but would recommend anyone with an interest in Rufforth airfield to it. I also credit historian Brian Lunn with recording this incident.
Halifax R9497 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 16th March 1942 and was taken on charge by 10 Squadron at Leeming soon after. As a result of flak damage on 20th May 1942 minor Cat.A/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On an unknown date it was transferred to 102 Squadron and by August 1943 was on charge 1658 HCU at Riccall. On 19th August 1943 Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment recorded on the paperwork.
Pilot - Sgt Terrance Claude Ashley RAFVR (1337699), aged 20, of Runsam, Barnstaple. Buried Barnstaple Cemetery, Devon.
Flight Engineer - Sgt Thomas Robert McMeekan RAFVR (1568151), aged 20, of Dennistoun, Glasgow. Buried Riddrie Park Cemetery, Glasgow.
Navigator - Sgt Albert James Allan RAFVR (1459143), aged 23, of Liverpool. Buried Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.
Bomb Aimer - F/O Robert Frank Walker RAFVR (129607), aged 19, of Leytonstone. Buried City of London Cemetery, Manor Park, London.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Joseph O'Brien RAFVR (1030890), aged 24, of Hacketstown, Co.Carlow, Ireland. Buried Templehollow Graveyard, Ballina, Tipperary, Ireland.
Air Gunner - Sgt Frederick C Cosford RAFVR (1163277), aged c23, of Northampton. Buried Dallington Cemetery, Northampton.
Air Gunner - Sgt Douglas Leonard Herbert Wooster RAFVR (1603969), aged 19, of Harrow. Buried Alperton Burial Ground, Wembley, London.
Sgt John Joseph O'Brien and his headstone (both photographs I credit Ms O'Brien). The CWGC register lists his names as Joseph John, where his family knew him as John Joseph.
Sgt Terrance Ashley (photograph via Ms O'Brien).
Robert Walker (photograph supplied by Mr Don Archer). Mr Archer adds that after enlisting with the RAFVR in June 1941 "Bob" Walker was granted a temporary commission on 28th August 1942 (to P/O on probation (emergency)) and was then promoted to Flying Officer on 28th February 1943. Bob initially sought to become a wireless operator (having picked up Morse code in the Boy's Brigade) but trained as an air bomber. Prior to training at 1658 HCU he trained at 19 OTU at Forres, Scotland. Bob is buried in Square 241 in Collective Grave 108020 and commemorated on Panel 18 of the Screen War Memorial in the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park, London.
Frederick Cosford's personal details are not listed on the CWGC database however a search of the birth index lists a Frederick C Cosford having his birth registered in Northampton in 1920 and I would link him to be the likely casualty in Halifax R9497. His middle name is not yet known.