Halifax W7931 damaged by flak, returned to Linton on Ouse airfield.
On the evening of 27th January 1943 this 78 Squadron aircraft was slightly damaged by flak on an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf.
They landed safely at Linton on Ouse at 23.22hrs having taken off at 17.59hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Edward Chester Stewart RCAF (R/86828).
Navigator - F/O Arthur Thompson Spencer RAFVR (121734).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt William Thomas Trotman RAFVR (1334031).
? - Sgt Gerald Edward Irons RAFVR (1270611).
Air Gunner - Sgt Richard James Weller RAFVR (1250047).
? - Sgt G Stevenson. Or Sgt A Stevenson missing 16-7-1943.
? - Sgt A Heath.
He received a commission in February 1943 and later was awarded the DFC for completing a Tour with 427 Squadron, Gazetted on 17th July 1945 but this was not presented
to his family until November 1949. Hugh Halliday's research into RCAF awards has located the recommendation for his DFC dated 19th March 1945 when he had flown a total
of forty operational flights but spilt between 1658 HCU (three Ops on 10th September 1942, 23rd & 24th October 1942), 78 Squadron (25 Ops between 8th November 1942 to
19th February 1943) and 427 Squadron (16 Ops between 17th December 1944 to 14th March 1945). The recommendation reads.. "Flight Lieutenant Stewart has successfully
completed a large number of sorties against such heavily defended enemy targets as Dusseldorf, Hanover, Ludwigshaven and Berlin. His work as deputy flight commander
both in the air and on the ground has been of the highest order and his courage in the face of the fiercest opposition has been an inspiring example not only to his
own crew but to all who have served with him."
He survived the crash of Halifax DT551 at Wombleton airfield while instructing with 1666 Heavy Cconversion Unit on 17th May 1944. After the War he returned to Canada but was
killed in a Dakota crash at Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada on 15th September 1946. He is buried in Holden Cemetery, Alberta.
Edward Stewart was born in February 1917 in Holden, Alberta, Canada and lived in Camrose, Alberta where he was working as a miner when he enlisted in Edmonton in February 1941. He was awarded the DFM for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 14th May 1943. The citation reads.. "This airman has taken part in
many operational sorties and at all times has shown determination of the highest order. He has recently been engaged in attacks against some of the most heavily defended
targets in Germany and has secured some excellent photographs. Invariably, Flight Sergeant Stewart's fine qualities have been a source of inspiration to his crew."
King George VI presented him with the DFM in October 1943.
Arthur Spencer received a commission on 16th May 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation. He was promoted to F/O on 16th November 1942 and to F/Lt on 16th May 1944.
He was awarded the DFC for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th May 1943. The citation reads.. "This officer has invariably displayed great courage and coolness
in the execution of his duties as navigator. He has always co-operated well with his captain." For service with 105 Squadron he was awarded the Bar to the DFC, Gazetted
on 8th December 1944. Post-war he remained in the RAF until reliquishing his commission on 19th April 1959.
William Trotman was awarded the DFM for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th May 1943, the citation reads.."As bomb aimer Sgt Trotman has completed a large number of sorties, some of which have been against the most heavily defended targets in Germany. Invariably
he has shown great perseverance and coolness in the face of the enemy and has obtained some excellent photographs." He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on (142885) 16th March 1943 and he was promoted to F/O on 16th September 1943 and later to F/Lt on
16th March 1945. He remained in the RAF after the War at least until 1947 when he was granted a permanent commission in the RAF.
Gerald Irons was awarded the DFM for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 18th May 1943, the brief citation reads.."This airman has completed 26 operational sorties, several of which have been over the most heavily defended areas of Germany." He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on (148918) 19th June 1943, he was promoted to F/O on 19th December 1943 and to F/Lt on 19th June 1945.
Richard Weller was also awarded the DFM for service with 78 Squadron, Gazetted on 13th July 1943. He received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation
on 16th March 1943 (142903) and must have risen to F/O but the date for this has not yet been confirmed with the London Gazette (it should have been on 16th
September 1943). He was killed flying with 97 Squadron on 31st March 1944 when Lancaster ND640 crashed in Germany. He is buried in Hanover War Cemetery and was thirty four years old.
Halifax W7931 was built to contract B.73328/40 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. It's AM Form 78 clearly has an error in that it was initially taken on charge by 79 Squadron on 28th Novemeber 1942. This was clearly corrected the same day when it was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. As a result of the battle damage on 18th January 1943 minor Cat.A/FB was the assessment and it was repaired on site. On 27th January 1943 it was slightly damaged by flak and again Cat.A/FB assessment resulted followed by a repair on site. On 27th March 1943 it failed to return from Duisburg, it crashed in Holland with three of the eight crew being killed and the rest being made PoW. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 31st March 1943.