Halifax W7678 damaged by flak, landed at Melbourne airfield.
During the evening of 9th January 1943 this 10 Squadron aircraft was being flown on a mine laying operational flight to lay mines around
the Frisian Islands. It was damaged by flak in the rear of the aircraft in an area off Juist but the crew managed to make a safe
return and land at base of Melbourne airfield at 20.41hrs having taken off at 16.31hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Paul Windermere Wilson Brunton RNZAF (413541).
Navigator - Sgt Stanley Ralph Gillmar RAFVR (1336894).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Ronald Cooper RAFVR (1079477).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Herbert Edwin Wright RAFVR (1378296).
Flight Engineer - Sgt James Millar RAFVR (617123).
Air Gunner - Sgt Leslie John Gait RAFVR (1315144).
Air Gunner - Sgt Albert William Booth RAFVR (1424526).
Halifax W7678 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection on 3rd May 1942. It was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Croft on 10th May 1942 but two days later was transferred to 10 Squadron at Leeming. As a result of battle damage sustained on 5th / 6th June 1942 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site at Leeming by Handley Page. It returned to 10 Squadron care on 29th June 1942. 10 Squadron moved to Melbourne on 19th August 1942. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that on 27th August 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage but how this occurred is not yet known. It was again repaired on site and returned to 10 Squadron on 4th October 1942. It sustained battle damage on 9th January 1943 that must have seen a Cat.A/FB damage assessment which resulted in a repair on site at Melbourne. On 9th February 1943 it was transferred to 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. On 3rd / 4th March 1943 it was lost on an operational flight. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 17th March 1943.
Paul Brunton was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th August 1943. The citation reads.."Pilot Officer Brunton, now on instructional duties, has
flown a large number of operational sorties. Although, on several occasions, his, aircraft has been riddled by anti aircraft fire and he has several encounters with enemy
aircraft, Pilot Officer Bruntons’ enthusiasm for operational flying remains unabated. Possessing high courage, skill and initiative, he invariably displays a fine fighting
spirit." He died in New Zealand in November 2013.
Stanley Gillmar was awarded the DFM for service with 10 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th August 1943. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 7th June
1943 and rose to F/O on 7th December 1943 and F/Lt on 7th June 1945. During the War he also served with 35 Squadron PFF. Post-war he remained in the RAF, flying in Canberras with 80 squadron until relinquishing his commission of F/Lt on 18th June 1963.
Sgt Booth was killed flying with 10 Squadron on 29th June 1943 in Halifax HR697 on Ops to Cologne. He is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery.
Ronald Cooper was granted a commission in March 1943, he was posted to 82 OTU on 23rd June 1943 and was awarded the DFC for service with 10 Squadron which came through after he had left.