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Operation: Training
Date: 31st January 1943
Unit: No. 428 Squadron (RCAF - Ghost Squadron)
Type: Wellington X
Serial: HE173
Code: NA-S
Base: RAF Dishforth, Yorkshire
Location: Near airfield
Pilot: F/O. Norman Gorick 124505 RAFVR Age 21. Killed
Nav: F/O. George Wood J/10688 RCAF Age 26. Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. William Mossop 632357 RAF Age 24. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. J. Welsh Injured
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 02:12 hrs from RAF Dishforth on a training exercise and crashed a minute later about 1 mile North West of the airfield. This accident was the first loss for 428 Squadron since its formation on 7th November 1942.
The aircraft caught fire in the air, crashing very shortly afterwards.
428 Squadron earned the nickname "Ghost" as none of the original Squadron members survived.
Final log book entry for the only survivor Sgt. J. Welsh (courtesy Stephen Elliot)Dishforth opened in 1936. At the beginning of the Second World War it became part of 4 Group, Bomber Command and was used for recruit training. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers were flown from there in 1940. Between 1943 and 1945 the station was used by No. 6 (RCAF) Group RAF Bomber Command and was a sub-station of RAF Topcliffe. Immediately after the war the station was used to convert aircrew to the Douglas Dakota transport aircraft.
Burial details:
F/O. Norman Gorick. Worsley (St. Mark) Curchyard Grave 666. Son of William and Edith Rachel Gorick, of Eccles, Manchester, England.
Right: F/O. Norman Gorick grave (courtesy Peter Lucas)
F/O. George Wood. Bradford (Scholemor) Cemetery Cons Sec L. joint grave 271. Son of Charles and Agnes Harrison Wood, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, husband of Eileen Maude Wood, of Toronto. (Scoutmaster, 135 Toronto Troop.) Canada.
Fl/Sgt. William Mossop. Brandon and Byshottles (Meadowfield) Cemetery Sec. C. Grave 334. Son of Joseph A. Mossop and Phyllis Mossop, of Meadowfield, England.
Researched for relatives of the crew and for a very diligent member of the public Stephen Elliot who managed to save the log book of Sgt. J. Welsh at a recent auction. Photographic images from this have been entered into the Aircrew Remembered archives - another part of history saved. Also thanks to Peter Lucas for grave photo of pilot.
KTY 04.03.2016 Map added
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Last Modified: 22 March 2021, 10:57