Halifax at RAF East Moor.

The Halifax was taking off later in the day on the 8th of August for ops to Foret De Chantilly, it crashed through the fence and across Sutton Road halting two fields away. The aircraft was repaired and then went to a HCU. The crew escaped injury. A mention to a Halifax crashing at the rear of Sutton Hall, Sutton on Forest in a Yorkshire Evening Press publication probably relates to this incident.

Pilot - P/O Anthony (Tony) W Tinmouth DFM RCAF, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Ok.

Nav - F/Sgt A L Richardson RCAF, of Union Bay, British Columbia, Canada. Ok.

Bomb Aimer - Sgt L E Todero RCAF, of Fort William, Canada. Ok.

Rest of crew were possibly.

Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt Arthur Crosswell RCAF, of Parry Sound, Canada. Ok.

Rear Gunner - Sgt William (Bill) John Walton DFM RCAF, of Toronto, ontario, Canada. Ok.

OR

M/AG - P/O M Graham

Rear Gunner - F/Sgt G Webber

FE - Sgt E Warren

Mid Upper Gunner - F/Sgt E Parr

WOP - P/O P Nelson

Possible route taken by Tinmouth's aircraft before coming to a halt in the fields south of Sutton on Forest (Photo Mr G Sharpe).

431 Sqdn's F/Sgt Tinmouth's DFM award became effective on the 29 February 1944 and appeared in the London Gazette dated 14 March 1944 and AFRO 766/44 dated 6 April 1944. He was born in Limerick, Eire on 15th January 1924 but moved to Canada and attended a Catholic High School in Montreal. His home being in Harring Cove or Fairview, Nova Scotia where he was a clerk when he enlisted in Montreal on the 24 October 1941. He trained at No.6 ITS where he graduated 8 May 1942, No.12 EFTS (graduated 31 July 1942) and No.9 SFTS (graduated 9 February 1943). He sailed for the UK in Autumn 1942, his bomber training began at Wellesbourne Mountford at their OTU unit, he moved to Yorkshire and did HCU training at Wombleton with 1666 HCU. He was commissioned in 1944. His DFM was presented by King George on 11th August 1944. The citation for his award reads as follows..

""One night in February 1944, this airman piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin. On the outward flight the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and sustained damage to the fuselage, the oxygen supply system, the wireless apparatus and other equipment. The inter-communication system was also rendered unserviceable. Undeterred, Flight Sergeant Tinmouth went on to the target and pressed home his attack. On the return flight the bomber was intercepted by more fighters but by his skill, good judgement and resource Flight Sergeant Tinmouth brought his aircraft home without sustaining further damage. On this, his first sortie as captain, this airman displayed a high standard of leadership, courage and determination.""

F/O Tinmouth was also awarded a DFC later in the War, he was still serving with 415 Sqdn with which he had had his take off accident at East Moor the previous August. This award became effective 6th January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 19 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23th March 1945. Award presented 5th October 1946. The citation reads..

""Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal this officer has taken part in many operational missions against some of the enemy's most heavily defended targets. An outstanding captain of aircraft, he has always displayed great courage and devotion to duty.""

On 22nd February 1944 F/Sgt Tinmouth's 431 sqdn Halifax LK626 iced up on a training flight, he attempted to reach Hawarden airfield but was forced to landnear Pentre, Flintshire. No injuries were reported. He left the RCAF in May 1945 on return to Lachine. He later graduated from McGill University with an Engineering degree. He appears to have joined 2450 Aircraft Control and Warning (Aux) Squadron but gave up this in 1958. He was married and had four children. He was still living in 2001.

Sgt Bill Walton's DFM was awarded for his efforts on the same night as F/Sgt Tinmouth's. The award became effective on 21 March 1944 as per London Gazette dated 24 March 1944 and AFRO 921/44 dated 28 April 1944. His home was in Toronto; enlisted there 8 August 1941. Trained at No.3 BGS (graduated 25 June 1943). Award presented 17 June 1945. He sustained severe frostbite and was hospitalised following the trip. The citation reads..

""This airman was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Berlin one night in February 1944. Before the target was reached the aircraft was attacked by a fighter and sustained damage. The inter-communication system was put out of action and the rear turret was rendered unserviceable. Although deprived of the use of oxygen and the means of heating, Sergeant Walton refused to vacate his turret. He suffered intensely on the homeward flight but maintained his vigilance and enabled his pilot to evade enemy aircraft on three occasions. This airman displayed great fortitude, determination and devotion to duty, setting a worthy example.""