Halifax LW619 at Leeming airfield.
On the night of 22nd / 23rd March 1944 this 429 Squadron crew were to have flown an operational flight to bomb Frankfurt. Their first two aircraft they attempted to use were deemed unservicable so the third was Halifax LW619. Being then already late for take off they eventually got on board Halifax LW619, checked it was servicable and moved off. At 19.10hrs, as this aircraft taxied out of dispersal at Leeming airfield onto the perimeter track to head to it's take off position it was collided with 429 Squadron Halifax LK801 that was travelling too fast and heading towards the take off position. The crew of LK801 were also late for taking off. The pilot of LW619 had believed that he was the only aircraft left to take off so made a quick check of the surroundings and moved off but then caught a glimse of LK801 approaching. He applied the brakes but could not prevent the port wing of LW619 cutting into the nose of LK801. Both aircraft received damage though LW619 was the most damaged, with a Cat.B damage assessment. Both crews were deemed to blame for not keeping an adequate look out. Nine days later most of this crew were flying Halifax LK804 on Ops when they ditched in the English Channel. Unfortunately the pilot drowned while the others survived.
Pilot - F/O James Henry Wilson RCAF (J/16948).
Navigator - F/Sgt Cyril William Way RAFVR (1314764).
Air Bomber - F/O Christopher Wellington Graham RAFVR (151241).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Stanley Charles Sharp RAFVR (1317939).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Harry Glass RCAF (R/156584).
Air Gunner - Sgt H J Robinson RCAF (R/138018).
Air Gunner - P/O Douglas Findlay RAFVR (145465).