10-AUG-1943
Time: 23:35 LT
Type: Handley Page Halifax Mk II
Owner/operator: 102 (Ceylon) Squadron Royal Air Force (102 (Ceylon) Sqn RAF)
Registration: JB794
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 7
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: RAF Pocklington, North Yorkshire - United Kingdom
Phase: Approach
Nature: Military
Departure airport: RAF Pockington, North Yorkshire
Destination airport: RAF Pockington, North Yorkshire
Narrative:
On 10th August 1943 this aircraft (HP Halifax JB794 "DY-G" of 102 Sqn., RAF) took off from Pocklington at 21:26 hours for an operational flight to bomb Nuremberg, but outbound the aircraft developed a problem with the port outer engine, so the crew opted to return to base, and left the main bomber stream.
The pilot jettisoned the bomb load and turned back to base. Whilst making a normal three engine approach to land at Pocklington at 23:35, the aircraft came in too low and the port wheel struck the roof of a house approximately 400 yards from the runway in use. The aircraft partially disintegrated and crashed 60 yards from the house.
Three of the crew were killed: two were killed immediately in the crash, with one other later dying of his injuries in Fulford Military Hospital, York.
Crew of Halifax JB794
Pilot - F/Sgt Alan Everard Storey RAFVR (1145662), aged 20, of Prestbury. Killed, buried Prestbury Churchyard, Cheshire.
Flight Engineer - Sgt Reginald Hubert Bowers RAFVR (1402265), aged 20, of Shuthonger, Gloucestershire. Died of injuries, buried Fulford Cemetery, York.
Navigator - F/Sgt William Charles Aubrey Poulter (1386631), aged c22, of Fulham, London. Injured.
Bomb Aimer - Sgt William M McArter RCAF (R/129442), of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - F/Sgt Frederick Rosslyn Newman RAFVR (1266270), aged 29, of Worting. Killed, buried Worting Churchyard, Hampshire.
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt John H T McEwan RAFVR (1579041), aged c21, of Worcester.
Rear Gunner - Sgt Thomas Lawman RAFVR (1028987), of Cumberland.
The final entry into Sgt Reg Bower’s RAF Diary reads as follows: “A/C. Reg. No. JB 794. Crashed, 23.35 (hrs) 10/08/43. Died 03.55 (hrs) 11/08/43 York Military Hospital. Aged 19.”
Sgt Poulter was initially taken to Fulford Hospital for treatment and was expected to have made a full recovery. However, while being taken to a convalescent home in Wales and being flown over the Pennines by the RAF, he was not strapped in and after the aircraft hit turbulence he fell out of his position in the aircraft and sustained a broken neck. He was admitted to Stoke Manderville hospital to treat his spinal injuries. He would later marry Mollie Storey, sister of the late pilot of JB794 Alan Storey.
