On the 28th of January 1943 the crew of this aircraft took off from Leeming for a cross country training flight, on their return they flew slightly off course and
whilst letting down through cloud the aircraft flew into high ground to the west of Thwaite in Upper Swaledale at 12.28hrs. On crashing
the aircraft caught fire. Blame would later be put on the pilot for the crash, it was said the he should have known he was flying over high ground and should have
being flying at a height in which to clear the hills. The form AM1180 and other sources appear to
incorrectly spell the pilots name. CWGC also list a navigator and an observer on the aircraft, this may be an error.
Pilot - P/O Edmund R Y LeFebvre RCAF (J/16317), of Morinville, Alberta. Seriously injured.
FE - Sgt Hugh McGeach RCAF (R/68465), of London, Ontario, Canada. Injured.
Nav - Sgt Richard E Drago RAFVR (1391710), aged 22, of Bromley, Kent. Buried Ripon Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec H, grave 405).
Obs - F/Sgt Joseph H A Beliveau RCAF (R/77189), aged 30, of St Germain de Grantham, Drummond Co., Province of Quebec, Canada. Buried Ripon Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec H, grave 404).
W Op / AG - Sgt John D Stone RAFVR (1270251), aged 20, of Thornton Heath. Buried Mitcham Road Cemetery, Croyden, Surrey (Joint grave 30332, plot FF)
AG - Sgt Clinton L Pudney RCAF (R/139022), of Pelmar, Buffalo, New York, USA. Badly injured his head and face.
AG - F/Sgt John R Askew RCAF (R/134417), aged 23, of Cartwright, Manitoba, Canada. Died of injuries. Buried Ripon Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec H, grave 406).
Although badly injured, Sgt Pudney and P/O LeFebvre returned to their burning aircraft several times to extract the crew
who were trapped inside. Pudney then walked several miles to seek help.
Those who survived were taken to Catterick Military Hospital where sadly F/Sgt Askew died
a short time later. For his efforts Sgt Pudney was awarded a richly deserved George Medal, the eighth such award to RCAF
personel in the War to date. The citation reads..
"While engaged on a local practice flight the Halifax aircraft in which Sergeant Pudney was flying as mid-upper gunner struck high
ground, crashed and burst into flames. Three members of the crew were killed and the others, with the exception of Sergeant Pudney,
were too severely injured to extricate themselves from the burning wreckage. Though suffering from severe lacerations on his face
and in spite of loss of blood and shock, Sergeant Pudney entered the blazing aircraft several times and finally succeeded in bringing
all his companions out. He then struggled over rough moorland for two miles to obtain help.""
Graves of the three airmen buried at Ripon Cemetery.
""Flying Officer Lefebvre has proved himself to be a pilot and captain of exceptional ability. He has completed a large
number of operational sorties over the most heavily defended targets in Germany, raids on precision targets in enemy-occupied
territory and several important mining sorties in enemy waters. He has consistently displayed a high standard of courage and
determination and his airmanship has been an example to all other pilots on the squadron. His fine crew spirit has made itself
felt in all sections of the unit and his keenness and skill as a pilot is an inspiration to all aircrews. Flying Officer
Lefebvre has at all times been willing to do more than his share of routine work in the Flight and his help to new pilots has
been invaluable.""
My wife and I located the site in October 2006, small remains are to be found on the site on the slopes of Great Shunner Fell.
Sgt Clinton Landis Pudney G.M. had enlisted at Hamilton, Ontario on 25th October 1941 and following his initial training in Canada
arrived in the UK on 6th November 1942, he reported to 1659 HCU on 20th December 1942.
Having completed his training he arrived at 405 Sqdn based at Gransden Lodge, on 8th April 1943, he completed at least four Ops.
On 16th June 1943 Halifax HR832 in which he was flying crashed near Clifton Farm after being struck by lightning near Kings Lynn,
Norfolk during a routine training flight. Again Pudney pulled his crew from the burning aircraft and then walked two miles for help.
Sadly all his crew died and he eventually succombed to the injuries he had sustained. His George Medal had only been awarded
three days prior to his death. He is buried at Sutton Bridge Cemetery, Norfolk. He was only 21 years old.
Some sources state the pilot was discharged following this incident as being
permenantly medically unfit; not so he was later awarded the DFC. Edmund LeFebvre was born in 1920 in Legal, Alberta and
lived there and in Morinville, Alberta. He was educated in
Alberta and in Los Angeles. He enlisted in Edmonton on 18th July 1941 and trained at 4 ITS (graduated 3rd October 1941), 18 EFTS
(graduated 4th December 1941)
and 15 SFTS (graduated 27th March 1942).
He was awarded the DFC whilst serving with 424 Sqdn, the Award effective from 15th March 1945 as per London Gazette of 23rd March 1945
The was no citation other than "completed.. many successful operations against the enemy in which (he has) displayed high skill,
fortitude and devotion to duty." The recommendation for the Award is dated 20th November 1944 when he had flown 30 sorties
(155 hours 5 minutes flying) between 18th July to 4th November 1944.
Sgt Hugh McGeach RCAF was made a PoW on 10th July 1943 whilst serving with 428 Sqdn. Halifax DK229 was hit by flak over Cologne, all but
the pilot adandoned the aircraft.
