Halifax HR855 at Wombleton airfield.
During the evening of 8th August 1944 the crew of this 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft were to undertake a practice bombing exercise combined with an air to air firing exercise when it swung violently to port on take-off from Wombleton airfield at 18.05hrs. The aircraft left the runway and crossed the grass for some three hundred yards. As it was nearing a parked aircraft on dispersal near the airfield boundary fence the pilot raised the undercarriage to try and avoid a collision. The starboard undercarriage retracted slightly earlier than the port and the aircraft crashed onto its belly, buckling the forward fuselage and the starboard wing tip contacted the ground resulting in ripping off the starboard outer engine. The crew of eight evacuated the safely. Upon inspection it was considered that the main spar was possibly bent and the aircraft was later assessed and deemed beyond economic repair.
Halifax HR855 was built to contract ACFT/1688/42 by Handley Page Ltd at Radlett and was delivered to 35 Squadron at Graveley in late May 1943. It was transferred to 428 Squadron at Middleton St.George in January 1944 when the unit was in the process of converting from Halifax B.V's to B.IIs. In June 1944 428 Squadron converted to Lancaster MkX's and the aircraft was transferred to 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit at Wombleton. It was written off as a result of the incident on 8th August 1944 with Cat.E/FA damage being the damage assessment, after which it was reduced to spares and produce. They probably stripped off everything of use at Wombleton before it was dealt with by 60 M.U.
Pilot - F/O William Ward Osborn RCAF (J/26673).
Navigator - P/O Hugh Robert Young RCAF (J/37737).
Bomb Aimer - F/O Herbert James Paisley RCAF (J/36701).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Hubert Clark RCAF (R/192159).
Air Gunner - Sgt John W Aitken RCAF (R/214118).
Air Gunner - Sgt Silas Francis Campbell RCAF (R/218396).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Harry Wilson Roper RCAF (R/118753).
William Osborn was born in 1921 in Preston, Ontario, Canada and lived in Hespeler where he worked as a labourer. He enlisted in Hamilton on 14th July 1942 and received a commission in May 1943. He and his crew were later posted to 419 Squadron. As the War came to a close he was awarded the DFC, the Award effective from 8th September 1945 but not presented until 22nd June 1949. When recommended for the DFC on 5th April 1945 he had flown thirty six operational flights (237 hours flying time) between 10th September 1944 and 15th March 1945. Hugh Halliday's RCAF awards research also states that Osborn commenced his tour on 10th September 1944 by doing a trip to Calais, he brought his aircraft back to base on two good, one faulty and one shutdown engines. Again on a daylight flight to Cologne on 2nd March 1945 he returned from the target on three engines. Mr Halliday located the recommendation for William Osborn's DFC which states that "at all times during his tour of thirty six trips this pilot has shown a high degree of courage, initiative and keenness. He has led his crew in bombing such difficult targets as Dresden, Munich and Nuremburg. This pilot's standard of crew captaincy has been exceptional." He returned to Canada after the War and graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Civil Engineering, he later completed a Masters degree. During the Korean War he re-joined the Canadian Military and served there and later with the United Nations. He died in January 2012.
Hugh Halliday awards research has been used to compile this webpage.
Hugh Young was born in 1922 in Depot Harbour, Ontario, Canada and enlisted for RCAF service in Toronton on 28th July 1942. He was granted a commission in October 1943 and probably received his navigator's wings on the same date in Canada. After completing his training with 1666 HCU he too was posted to 419 Squadron. He was later awarded the DFC for service with 419 Squadron, effective from 8th September 1945 but Gazetted on 25th September 1945. He was recommended for the DFC on 18th April 1945 when he had flown 35 sorties between 20th September 1944 and 15th March 1945 and this stated that "this navigator successfully completed thirty-five operational sorties, of which twenty-seven were against major targets. Flying Officer Young's air work has been exceptional. Track keeping and timing were always good. I believe that largely through his tireless efforts his crew were able to complete their tour and carry out each operation with a maximum of efficiency. His keenness and general fine attitude were at all times an inspiration, not only to his crew, but to all who came in contact with him. In consideration of Flying Officer Young's splendid example of a good job well done, his devotion to duty and his outstanding courage on operations."
Silas Campbell was born in August 1924 in Zealandia, Saskatchewan, Canada and was working in farming there when he enlisted for RCAF service in Saskatoon on 9th June 1943. He was also posted to 419 Squadron and having risen to the rank of WO2 he too received the DFC for service with 419 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th November 1945. He was recommended for the DFC on 22nd May 1945 when he had flown 35 sorties between 28th September 1944 and 15th March 1945 as a rear gunner. The recommendation also states.. "This Warrant Officer has completed 35 operational sorties, the majority of which have been over the most heavily defended targets in Europe. WO2 Campbell's co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty contributed in a large measure to the successful completion of an operational tour and his cheerful confidence has inspired a high standard of morale in his crew, and the squadron in general."
John Clark was born in April 1923 in Lambeth, Ontario, Canada but with the death of his parents as a young boy he later moved to Saskatchewan with his adoptive parents. As young man he joined the RCMP and undertook posted all across Canada. He enlisted for RCAF service in Regina, Saskatchewan in October 1942. He too was posted to 419 Squadron in August 1944 and was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 20th July 1945. The citation states "On one occasion this officer, as wireless operator, was detailed for an attack against Hanall. Fifteen minutes before reaching the target area the intercommunication system failed. Pilot Officer Clark effected repairs while the aircraft was actually over the target and the mission was successfully completed. This officer has always shown courage and devotion to duty even in the most hazardous circumstances."
Harry Roper was born in February 1922 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He too received the DFC for service with 419 Squadron, Gazetted on 7th December 1945. The recommendation for his DFC states.."Pilot Officer Roper has completed a tour of 31 operational sorties as a Flight Engineer. His pilot and section leader have always spoken of him as a skilful and courageous engineer who carried on cheerfully under very trying circumstances. Pilot Officer Roper participated on operations as a spare on very short notice without the least sign of complaint and he has proved to be an inspiration to all who came in contact with him. In recognition of this officer's cheerful attitude towards operations and a job well done, I strongly recommend he be awarded the Non-Immediate D.F.C."
Herbert Paisley was born in 1922 and died in December 2007 in Winnipeg.
On 21st March 1945 F/Sgt Aitken was flying with another crew as rear gunner in Lancaster KB786 on Ops to Heide when the aircraft was attacked a nightfighter, it then exploded but remarkably he was thrown clear and was able to deploy his parachute. The other members of his then crew were all killed but he survived and saw out the remaining weeks of the war as a PoW. He died in 1996 in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.