Armstrong Whitley V – Z9155, GE-G – 58 Squadron - 12th-13th October 1941

On the Evening of the 12th & 13th October 1941 a total of 152 Aircraft were detailed to attack Nuremberg. It was the first raid on this city and the result was that although the city itself only reported a few bombs many fell on smaller villages & towns many miles from Nuremberg. Further crews were then attracted to the bombing area and joined in. This raid highlights the issues that crews had in identifying targets during this time.

The crew of the above aircraft took off from Linton-on-Ouse at 1909hrs, on board were: -

Sgt CG Lord – RAAF - Pilot

SGT HE Donson – RCAF - Pilot

Sgt JG Rich – RAAF - Bomb Aimer

SGT WH Burns RCAF - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

Sgt HC Lee - RAFVR - Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

On return from this raid a lot of Aircraft had issues due to bad weather. Another returning Aircraft was on fire at the runway at Linton-on-Ouse meaning many had to be diverted to other Airfields. The crew were diverted to Pocklington Airfield and radioed in to advise that they were almost out of fuel. They crashed 1 mile south of Pocklington at 0457hrs.

Sgts Lord & Donson were buried at Barmby Moor with the rest being buried elsewhere.

Sergeant Clive Gordon Lord – Pilot

Clive Gordon Lord was born on the 8th May 1917 in Rose Bay, New South Wales, Australia to Leroy Septimus Lord, a Cane Grower & Emma Trant Lamb. His parents had previously married on the 24th March 1914 at St Johns Church, Parramatta, New South Wales.

Clive would go on to attend Chatswood High School between 1928 & 1935 and on leaving school went on to work as a Bank officer with the Bank of New South Wales. He was a keen Rugby player and became a foundation member of Gordon Rugby Club Union and was one of their first office holders.

Clive enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Sydney on the 27th May 1940 and was given the Service No 402127 and given the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class. At this time, he is described as being 5ft 9 inches tall with light brown hair, green eyes & a fair complexion. Clive listed his father and a Miss P.G. Elliot of Neutral Bay, New South Wales be notified in the event of accident.

The following month Clive would commence his Initial training at Bradfield Park Training School in New South Wales and a month after that would move to No 5 Elementary Flying Training School in Narromine also New South Wales. In July of 1940 he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman.

In October of 1940 he left for No 3 Service Flying Training School in Calgary, Canada where he spent 4 Months. Clive obtained his flying badge on the 24th December 1940. On completion of this training he transferred to 19 Operational Training Unit at RAF Kinloss in Scotland where he would be trained in Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Aircraft. His Service record also mentions that he had experience flying Avro Anson & De Havilland Tiger Moth Aircraft.

He was promoted to Sergeant in January of 1941 and in April of the same year took up his first post with 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, he would later transfer to 58 Squadron also based at Linton-on-Ouse in June of 1941

He was 24 years old when he died and is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, War Medal & Air Crew Europe Medal. These along with his belonging would have been sent onto is family.

The Wing Commander of 58 Squadron records Clive as being a first-class Captain of Aircraft on his death report

Sergeant Hugh Edwin Donson – Pilot

Hugh Edwin Donson was born on the 25th April 1920 to John William Donson, a Carpenter & Margaret Brown. John & Margaret were both born in Liverpool England and had moved to Canada marrying on the 27th June 1911 in York, Ontario

By 1921 the family along with Hugh’s older Sister Margaret & Brother Peter are residing at 98 Woody East Ave, York, Ontario & John is now working as a builder.

Hugh would go on to attend Wilkinson Public School, Riverdale & Earl Haig Collegiate. For a time was a Choir boy at St Matthews Anglican Centre before becoming a member of the choir at Christ Church, Deer Park where his father was Choirmaster & Organist. He enjoyed Rugby, Basketball & Baseball which he had played at University.

By 1940 the family are living at 4130 Yonge Street, York Mills, John is now a full time Organist and their daughter Margaret a Clerk with the Department of Education. Peter & Hugh are not listed presumably as both have enlisted for war service, Peter Joined the Royal Canadian Navy.

Hugh Enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 21st June 1940 and was given the Service No R/71909. He was detailed at this time as being a Student but had worked temporarily as a Clerk with A&P Grocery. He was 6 feet tall, had light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Hugh carried out his initial training at Eglington before attending No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at St Catherines. He later moved onto No 5 Service Flying Training School at Brantford where he was among the largest number of pilots from Toronto to graduate in a single class since the Commonwealth Air Training Scheme had started.

Hugh Arrived in the UK on the 1st August where he would have completed training at an Operational Training Unit before moving to his post with 58 Squadron.

He was only 21 years old when he died. He is remembered on the family grave at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto and the Bomber Command Memorial at Nanton. Donson Court in Pocklington would be named after him.

Hugh’s father John would pass away in 1943 & his mother Margaret in 1956.

Sergeant Joseph Godfrey Rich - Bomb Aimer

Joseph joined the Royal Australian Air Force & was given the Service No 406044. He was 24 years old when he died & was the son of Samuel Charles & Pearl Rich of South Perth, Western Australia. He is buried in Leeds English Hebrew Cemetery, Gelderd Road. Josephs trade is not listed, he was probably the Bomb Aimer.

Sergeant William Henry Burns – Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

William joined the Royal Canadian Air Force & was given the Service No R/64045. He was the son of Frank & Mary Burns of Halifax & is buried at Pocklington Burial Ground

Sergeant Herbert Conroy Lee – Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

Herbert joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves & was given Service No 908627. He was 25 years old when he died & was the son of Herbert & Ethel Lee of North Tawton, Devon and is buried at North Tawton Cemetery.

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