Lancaster at East Moor.

In the early evening of the 2nd of September 1943 a Lancaster of 1679 Heavy Conversion Flight was landing at East Moor, on its approach it lost power in the port outer engine, this caused a swing and the undercarriage collapsed on landing. The resulting crash caused the aircraft be destroyed by fire. The crew were reported to have escaped with injury. Only three of their names are currently known.

The aircraft was built to contract ACFT/239 by Armstrong Whitworth at Baginton and delivered to MU store in November 1942. It was issued to 115 Sqdn at East Wretham on 30th April 1943 before being transferred to 1679 HCU at East Moor on 12th June 1943. Following this incident damage was recorded as being Cat. E2/FA Burnt. It was struck off charge on 3rd September 1943.

Pilot - F/Lt John G McNeill DFC RCAF, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Chief Flying Instructor with 1679 HCF.

Pilot - F/O William B Stewart RCAF (J/15486), of New Richmond Station, Province of Quebec, Canada. Ok.

? - F/O M Bell, ok.

John McNeill RCAF.

W/C John G McNeill DFC RCAF was killed on 21st August 1944 whilst serving with 415 Sqdn, he was aged 25 and from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. His aircaft Halifax NA609 collided with another Halifax MZ633, both aircraft crashed near West Haddlesey, near Selby, Yorkshire. He is buried at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire. He was 25 years old. His DFC was gained with 426 Sqdn, the Award was effective from 6th August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 13th August 1943 and AFRO 1849/43 dated 10th September 1943. Born in Calgary in 1919. He was a former member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (1934 to RCAF). He enlisted to the RCAF in Kingston, Ontario on 10th June 1940. He was Commissioned 1941. The DFC was presented at Buckingham Palace on 11th August 1944. The citation reads..

""The fine fighting spirit displayed by this officer has been an inspiration to the rest of the squadron. He has taken part in may recent heavy raids on the Ruhr and on one occasion in April 1943 completed his mission successfully although one engine failed while his aircraft was hotly engaged by the defences. As deputy flight commander he has rendered valuable assistance in the operational training of new crews and has contributed much to the high morale maintained in the squadron.""

F/O W B Stewart was promoted becoming S/Ldr Stewart RCAF. He was sadly killed in action on 13th June 1944 in a 408 Sqdn Lancaster. DS726 was shot down whilst on Ops to Cambrai, the aircraft crashed near Seranvillers-Forenville, 5 km SSE of Cambrai. He is buried Seranvillers-Forenville Military Cemetery. Two of the crew survived, one of which evaded capture.