Spitfire W3245 at Wombleton airfield.
On 13th March 1945 this 1695 (Bomber) Defence Training Flight aircraft was flown from Dalton airfield to Wombleton airfield. The reason for the aircraft being at Wombleton has yet to be learnt but the unit supplied aircraft for fighter affiliation exercises to train air gunners in Bomber Command so it may have been there as part of a flight with 1666 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft. As the aircraft was taking off from Wombleton the port tyre burst causing the aircraft to run off the runway into some soft mud, the wheels then dug into the ground causing the aircraft to tip up onto it's nose. Minor damage was sustained to the aircraft.
Pilot - F/O William Bryon Patrick DFC RCAF (J/85561).
William Patrick was born in Delaware, Ontario, Canada in November 1918 and was living in London, Ontario when he enlisted for RCAF service there in May 1940 as an aero engine mechanic. He served in this ground role until remustering for aircrew duties in April 1942 and then trained as a pilot. With training in Canada complete he was posted to the UK in January 1943 and was eventually posted to 427 Squadron with whom he flew a Tour of Operations, starting on 3rd November 1943. For service with 427 Squadron he was awarded the DFC, Gazetted on 19th September 1944. He was later repatriated in August 1945 and left the RCAF two months later. He died in March 1984. I credit Hugh Halliday with this basic biography into his life.
Spitfire W3245 had previously served with 92 Squadron, 222 Squadron, 332 Squadron, 416 Squadron, 41 Squadron, 501 Squadron and 485 Squadron before passing to 1695 (B)D.T.Flt. on 15th October 1944. It survived until being struck off charge on 4th September 1945. During a spell with 485 Squadron it carried the name "Lincoln Imp" just below the cockpit side.