Halifax at Topcliffe Road Bridge, Sowerby.
The scene of the crash taken at the time and in 2004. (Photos Mr L Green)
On the 15th of April 1944 this Halifax and others from the same training unit were taking
part in evening cross country exercises. This aircraft was returning to base at Dishforth at
around 23.00 hrs when the weather made a turn for the worse, this aircraft was also having
trouble with both its port engines. The aircraft overshot its approach to Dishforth and climbed
out for another attempt at landing here. I am told that during his climb out to go round again
the pilot noticed the landing lights were on at nearby Topcliffe, he then made the decision to
make a landing there instead. He then overshot the runway at Topcliffe and at about 23.05 hrs
crashed at the edge of a field nexto the main railway line, the aircraft then crashed into the
railway bridge on Sowerby Road next to what is now the East Coast Main Line, and the neighbouring house,
where upon the wreckage caught fire. The four airmen who survived the initial crash were dragged
clear by local farmers Mr Alfred Rooke and Messers Tom and Cecil Starr. Airmen Pearce and Tynski
were taken to the Military Hospital at Northallerton. The two occupants
of the cottage were also killed in the crash and were initailly taken to Thirsk Mortuary to await burial.
Another man cycling on the road on the way
home from the pub also lost his life in the accident, he was simply in the wrong place
at the wrong time. The bomber's engines blocked
the LNER railway line for some time causing long delays. Halifax EB203 crashed soon after this incident
and was on the same training exercise, this incident is also detailed on this website.
Pilot - F/O Donald R (Bud) Holloway RCAF, aged 21, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Seriously injured and died later, buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec B, Row A, Grave 12).
FEng - Sgt Henry G C Powell RAFVR, aged 20, of Balham, London. Killed in crash, buried Wandsworth (Streatham) Cemetery, London.
BA - F/O Stewart W Jobson RCAF, aged 25, of Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. Killed in crash, buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec B, Row A, Grave 13).
AG - Sgt Kenny French RCAF, aged 21, of Creston, British Columbia, Canada. Killed in crash, buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec B, Row A, Grave 10).
WOp / AG - F/O James H Smith RCAF, aged 25, of Nairn Centre, Ontario, Canada. Seriously injured and died later, buried Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire (Sec B, Row A, Grave 11).
Nav - F/O Samuel H J (Harry) Pearce RCAF, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Injured but survived the crash.
Mid Upper Gunner - Sgt John W Tynski RCAF, aged 26 at the time. Injured but survived the crash.
The civilians were:
Mr Albert G G Stone, aged 48, of Topcliffe Road Bridge, killed.
Mrs Clara Stone, aged 62, Topcliffe Road Bridge, killed.
Mr James McNulty, aged 36, of Curradraish, Foxford, Co. Mayo, Irish Republic. Irish Farm Labourer, killed.
F/O Holloway RCAF, gravestone and photograph.
Sgt French's gravestone and photograph and a further photograph with his brother Charles. This photograph was taken the day tehe two were
arranging his brothers wedding to which Ken was to be best man. Apparently the first the family knew that there was a problem was when he failed to
turn up for his brothers wedding (Photos Mr C French, via Mr L Green).
Sgt Ken French with his friend Bill Constable (who would later became an RCAF pilot) harvesting peas. (Photos Mr C French, via Mr L Green).
F/O Jobson RCAF, gravestone and photograph.
F/O Smith RCAF, gravestone and photograph.
F/O Pearce RCAF. He was married to Mary Elizabeth A. Pearce, of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Sadly, he was killed later in 1944 when the 434 Sqdn Halifax he was flying with crashed in Europe. This crash has been researched in great detail by Mr Leslie Green.
Sgt Tynski RCAF. (Photo himself, via Mr L Green).
I visited the crash site area in September 2004.
I am told that small peices of the aircraft still remain in the field and on the railway embankment although searching for
them will be a risky job given the line is now the busy East Coast Main Line (and probably trespassing).
I am endebted to Mr Leslie Green for all the photographs of the crew and crash scene and
for alot of the information detailing the crash itself.