Halifax at East Moor.

This photograph is said to depict Halifax LW615 is situ at East Moor although this would seem in doubt as when it had this accident it had flown 18 Ops, the aircraft shown in this photograph has only 14 Ops "bomb" logos painted below the cockpit window.

On the 7th of May 1944 this Halifax crash landed at 16.00 hrs whilst in circuit training, it reportedly bounced on landing drifted off the runway and overshot. The location of which could be actually on the airfield (as a map reference in a police report gives) or slightly off the airfield as it is said to have collided with an air raid shelter behind the old airmens mess building, crossed Strensall Road and halted in Goose Wood with the aircraft's nose being broken off behind the cockpit. Those on board survived.

The aircraft was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4/C by E.E.C. Ltd. at Salmesbury and delivered directly to 432 Sqdn at East Moor on 16th February 1944. It suffered Cat. A/FB in this incident on 23rd April 1944 and was repaired on site with the repair completed by 25th April 1944. It was lost on 7th May 1944. LW615 completed 19 Op's with 432 Sqdn.

Pilot - S/Ldr Allister D R Lowe RCAF, ok.

G/C Herbert H C Rutledge OBE RCAF (C149), ok.

Others possibly on board - they were Lowe's regular crew..

Nav - F/Sgt D McLeod.

BA - F/O R Potts.

W Op - Sgt J Chadwick.

AG - Sgt J Sowerby.

AG - Sgt G Purreno.

F Eng - Sgt D Darnell.

G/C Rutledge was Mentioned in Despatches whilst at Eastmoor, his award was effective from the 1st January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945. He was born 19th November 1919 in Wawanesa, Manitoba, he attended University of Manitoba and joined the RCAF at Camp Borden on 4th June 1928. He was also employed by the Manitoba Government (Department of Northern Development). He was taken on Permanent RCAF on 15 February 1934 (with effect from 15 February 1933) and began on flying duties at Lac du Bonnet, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. He was stationed on the east coast of Canada with a bomber reconnaissance unit from 1939 to 1940, at AFHQ from 1940 to 1943 as Directorate of Plans. He went Overseas in April 1944 to No.6 Group and RCAF Overseas Headquarters. He returned to Canada in 1946. when he commanded Station Trenton and was air attache to Sweden. He attained Air Commodore rank in January 1953. In August 1955 he made Group Commander at 14 Training Group, Winnipeg and finally retired in 1961. He died in May 1987. His MiD recommendation was forwarded 15 August 1944, the citation reads.

""Group Captain Rutledge has commanded RCAF Station Eastmoor since his arrival overseas. His personal ability, service experience and devotion to duty combine to make him an excellent operational station commander. By tactful handling and tireless effort he has endeavoured at all times to maintain the highest standards of morale and efficiency in the personnel under his command.""

G/C Rutledge was made an Officer, Order of the British Empire after the War, his Award effective from 1st January 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 82/45 dated 25 January 1946, it was presented on the 9th of April 1948. The citation reads..

""This officer, an officer of the Regular Air Force since February 1934, has been assigned such important positions as command of a Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron, Deputy Director of Air Service, Air Force Headquarters, and command of operational and training stations in Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force. In all these assignments he has displayed superior leadership and devotion to duty. Through his fine judgement and confident manner in handling all his duties he has been an inspiration and has set an outstanding example to his juniors, thereby contributing considerably to successful operations. During his present employment as Director of Air Staff duties, Royal Canadian Air Force Overseas Headquarters, this officer in addition to his normal duties, gave most effective direction to planning for Royal Canadian Air Force participation in Phase II operations. His personal contribution to the war effort in all respects has been outstanding and a definite credit to the Royal Canadian Air Force.""

Sqdn Ldr Lowe was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross when serving with 432 Squadron, the Award effective from 2nd October 1944 as per London Gazette dated 13 October 1944 and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. He was born in 1915 in Springhill, Nova Scotia, his home prior to enlistment was in Calgary. He was educated for two years at University of Alberta and served three years as a Militia Trooper, two years as Militia Lieutenant. He was a field engineer in civil life. He enlisted in Calgary on the 6th June 1940 and trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 20 July 1940), No.8 EFTS (graduated 15 September 1940) and No.4 SFTS (graduated 20 December 1942). He was Commissioned in 1941. He was also awarded a Queen's Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 while commanding (as Wing Commander) No.418 (Auxiliary) Squadron. No citation for this award other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty". When recommended for his DFC in July 1944 he had flown 27 sorties (135 hours 10 minutes), between 25 February to 25 July 1944. The citation for his DFC reads..

""Squadron Leader Lowe is a capable and confident captain whose determination to complete his sorties successfully has been a feature of his tour. In his capacity of Flight Commander he has maintained an exceptionally high standard in every branch of activity. His 27 sorties have been over a wide variety of targets, including some of the most heavily defended in Germany."" ""For his splendid qualities of leadership, loyalty and an inspiring example to those in his flight, this officer is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.""

The then Wing Commander LOWE DFC RCAF was awarded an Air Force Cross when with 1659 HCU (now No.7 RC) The Award being effective from 7th September 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1647/45 dated 26 October 1945. The citation reads..

""In February 1941, Wing Commander Lowe began his instructional duties in Canada at No.8 Service Flying Training School and after a year was posted to Central Flying School as deputy flight commander. He remained at this unit until April 1943 in the capacity of flight commander and examining officer, after which he came to England to commence his operational flying. After completing an exceptionally fine tour of operational duty as squadron commander at No.432 Squadron, Wing Commander Lowe was posted to his present unit in the capacity of chief instructor. His untiring efforts, sound judgement and initiative have been an inspiration to all and have contributed largely to the success of the training programm of his unit.""

W/C LOWE DFC AFC was also Mentioned in Despatches when with No.1659 HCU, the Award effective 1 January 1946 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 322/46 dated 29 March 1946. He served three years in Canada; as of recommendation (23 June 1945) he had served one year 11 months in UK. He was the Chief Instructor at 1659 HCU. There was no citation but the recommendation has the following..

""This officer completed a tour of operations with No.432 Squadron in September 1944, and since that time has ben employed as Chief Instructor at this unit. The undoubted success of the training programme has been due in no small measure to his capable guidance and industrious and far sighted efforts. His keenness and initiative are outstanding and his reliability and excellent personality have secured him universal co-operation. In addition, he has devoted much of his spare time to station activities and has taken an unfailing interest in the morale and welfare of the aircrew personnel.""