Remembering Today: Harold Lackey Aircraftsman 2nd Class 1155594 RAF, 58 Squadron Died: 12/5/1941 Commemorated: Runnymede Memorial Remembered with honour.
Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire. Halifax at Linton on Ouse (enemy action) The night of 11th/12th of May 1941 was a clear moon-lit night, and the North-East of England suffered a large attack by enemy aircraft. At least twelve civilians were killed in Middlesbrough and County Hall in Northallerton was damaged. Linton on Ouse airfield was attacked by possibly only three enemy aircraft at 01.45hrs, the hangars were bombed which damaged one 35 Squadron Halifax but its identity is not yet known. Other aircraft were dispersed around the airfield. This aircraft sustained damage to its mainplane while parked in the hanger. Also connected to this bombing and resulting fire was the sad loss of some thirteen RAF personnel at Linton on Ouse as a reuslt of the attack. While some must have been killed in the initial attack others are known to be died while trying to put the fire out. Although I have not found any extra details there must have been other who were injured, but not fatally. Every available person on the airfield was called to assist in putting the fires out, there must have been bravery awards issued but no detail have been found either. Commended in Station records were Sgt Saunders and LAC McLeod for "exceptional courage and initiative whilst under fire". Those killed were: Station Commander, Linton on Ouse - G/C Fredderick M F Garraway RAF OBE (04016). Commanding fire fighting operations. 58 Sqn - Sgt George Balmforth RAF (544600), aged 29, of Westport, Co. Mayo, Irish Republic. Buried Newton on Ouse churchyard, Yorkshire. 58 Sqn - F/Sgt Victor S Dodd RAFVR (940286), aged 20, of Coventry. Buried Stoke (St Michael) Churchyard, Warks. 58 Sqn - AC1 Gordon I Eggleton RAFVR (914938), aged 21, of Ryde. Buried Ryde Borough Cemetery, Isle of Wight. 58 Sqn - Sgt John Kay RAF (647782), aged 19, of West Cornforth. Buried Cornforth Churchyard, Durham. 58 Sqn - Sgt Edwin H W Kemp RAFVR (755825), aged 28, of ? Buried Newton on Ouse churchyard, Yorkshire. Obs (58 Sqn) - Sgt Reginald D Kirby RAFVR (759233), aged 32, of Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. Buried Gorleston Cemetery, Great Garmouth, Norfolk. 58 Sqn - AC2 Harold Lackey RAF (1155594), aged 25, of ? Buried Shirley churchyard, Solihull, Warks. 35 Sqn - Cpl Kenneth H Marloth RAF (620923), aged 21, of Tooting, Surrey. Buried Newton on Ouse churchyard, Yorkshire. Died of injuries. 58 Sqn - AC1 Kenneth H Moody RAFVR (923174), aged 28, of Landford, Wiltshire. Buried Newton on Ouse churchyard, Yorkshire. 58 Sqn - Sgt William D Weir RAFVR (967309), aged 21, of Swansea. Buried Oystermouth Cemetery, Swansea, Wales. 35 Sqn - AC2 Hector Meeson RAFVR (1258724), aged 19, of Bush Hill Park, Enfield. Buried Edmonton Cemetery, Middlesex. Died York Hospital of injuries. 35 Sqn - AC2 Arthur Dale RAFVR (1206638), aged ? of Saltley, Birmingham. Buried Witton Cemetery, Birmingham. Died of injuries on 15th May 1941.
