During the evening of 14th September 1943 a night flying training programme was taking place with 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit from their base at Lindholme. Visibility on the ground was poor due to it being generally overcast and also raining. At 20.50hrs Lancaster W4965 was stationary awaiting instructions to take off, the rear light was switched on but due to the position the aircraft was in a full view of light was not visible to the crew of Lancaster ED585 who was behind it. Unfortunately Lancaster ED585 taxied into the back of Lancaster W4965 and seriously injured an airman in the rear turret of W4965 who subsequently died.
Pilot - Sgt Geoffrey Francis Clark RAFVR (1442665).
Air Gunner - Sgt Graham Howard Uttley RAFVR (2206972), aged 21. Buried King Cross Methodist Chapelyard, Halifax, Yorkshire (C/272).
Crew - Names unknown.
Graham Uttley and his gravestone, laid flat for safety reasons. I credit "Find a Grave" with both images.
F/Sgt Clark and his crew were killed on 24th December 1943 when 625 Squadron Lancaster LM421 failed to return from Ops to Berlin. He and his crew have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.