Halifax RG437 at Lissett airfield.
On 4th April 1945 the crew of this 158 Squadron aircraft were about to fly an operational flight to bomb a target at Harburg / Rhenania but while taking off from Lissett airfield the pilot's boot lace caught on the rudder pedal. When he moved his foot it caused the aircraft swing off the centre line of the runway. The pilot then overcorrected this swing but before the aircraft could be brought under control it collided with parked Halifax NP996 on a dispersal point at Lissett airfield.
Pilot - F/O John Wood Furniss RNZAF (NZ.427541).
Navigator - F/Sgt Leonard Ceorge Glyde RAFVR (1306609).
Bomb Aimer - F/Sgt G M Hirst RAFVR (1547038).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Norman Lewis RAAF (424193).
Air Gunner - Sgt Walter Melton RAFVR (1303086).
Air Gunner - Sgt Edward T Wistow RAFVR (1800100).
Flight Engineer - WO Arthur Tom William Stratton RAFVR (1863356).
While training at 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit Furniss, Lewis, Melton and Hirst survived the crash of Halifax MZ648 at Askham Bryan, Yorkshire on 15th November 1944. All sustained injuries but came off the best, their other crew members at that time sustained more serious injuries and did not return to training in time to remain in the same crew.
Arthur Stratton was awarded the DFM for service with 158 Squadron.