Halifax LV996 at Leeming airfield.
On the night of 14th October 1944 this 427 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown on an operational flight to bomb Duisburg.
At 22.35hrs with the aircraft on the ground at Leeming airfield the crew were preparing to taxi around the airfield prior to taking off. When the aircraft was still in the dispersal the bomb aimer accidentally pressed the photo flash switch and after a short delay the flash exploded in the fuselage which caused minor damage. The bomb aimer was flying his second operational flight of the day to Duisburg and while fatigue was an element to the cause of the incident the push switch did not have a cover protecting against accidental use.
Pilot - F/O John Valentine Mulholland RCAF (J/36985).
Navigator - F/O Nathan Isaacovitch RCAF (J/20890).
Air Bomber - F/O Alan Gerald Horton RCAF (J/36226).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt T F Leaver RCAF (R/198017).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Derek Bertram Brinkley RAFVR (1868724).
Air Gunner - Sgt D V McCarthy RCAF (R/217888).
Air Gunner - Sgt Billy Edward Lossing RCAF (R/221305).
Alan Horton's brother P/O Donald Ellsworth Horton RCAF (J/86837) was killed in a taxying accident at Skipton on Swale airfield on 17th June 1944 when Halifax LW119 taxied into the rear of Halifax LV911 in which he was occupying the read turret at the time. He is buried at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery.