Whitley K8970 near Tollerton.
During the evening of 8th August 1939 this 58 Squadron aircraft took off from Linton on Ouse airfield for a Home Defence exercise that would involve many aircraft of different squadrons. Soon after taking off this aircraft flew into trees near Tollerton, the Whitley struck with it's starboard wing tip, turned over and crashed on its back a hundred yards away. Following the initial impact with the tree parts of the aircraft were left in the trees and the rear turret broke off. This saved the airman inside from the post crash fire and explosion and he therefore survived.
Pilot - Sgt David James Wood RAF (562625), aged 26. Of Dagenham, Essex. Buried Newton on Ouse Churchyard, Yorkshire.
Second Pilot - F/Sgt Edward James Bruce Russell Gillespie RAF (563877), aged 25, of Ballyclare, Antrim, Northern Ireland. Buried Carnmoney Old Churchyard.
? - AC1 Philip Henry Cook RAF (551599), aged 19. Buried Bishopthorpe (St Andrews) Churchyard, Yorkshire.
? - AC1 Thomas William Clarkson RAF (543593), aged 24, of Leeholme, Durham. Buried Coundon Churchyard, Durham.
Rear Gunner - AC1 William McGlen Stewart Harkness RAF (525591), of Castle Douglas, Scotland. Injured.
William Harkness was rescued by LAC Donaldson RAF (530419) (of 51 Squadron) and AC2 Groves RAF (545782)545672 (of Recruits Sub-Depot, Linton on Ouse). Any injuries must have been superficial. He appears to have returned to operational flying and was Mentioned in Despatches with a huge number of other individuals on 17th March 1941 and again on 1st January 1942.