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THE FULBECK TRAGEDY
It happened shortly before 10.00hrs on that fateful Sunday morning
of April 22nd, as 49 Squadron's Lancasters were taking off from
Fulbeck for the last time, bound for their new home at RAF Syerston.
Some aircraft had already departed, but just as F/Lt Les Hammond
was about to release the brakes on B-Baker he suddenly announced
over the inter-com; 'so that's how a Lanc goes!' - his crew immediately
looked in the direction of the main site where a pillar of fire
and smoke marked the spot where a Lancaster had just plunged
into the ground.
Eric Read was an eyewitness to this ghastly accident:
"I had just left Flying Control and saw the whole thing
as if in slow motion - the aircraft was shooting up' Fulbeck
and was very low; it came from my right (heading north) and as
the pilot pulled up, the tail hit the MT shed, bringing the aircraft
down onto a large group of ground personnel.
The clothing store was demolished along with the private car
belonging to S/Ldr Brydon. The fire crew was there in seconds
but to no avail; I was asked to give evidence at the court of
enquiry; it was all very sad and a long time ago, but some of
the shocking images still remain in my memory."
The aircraft involved was piloted by F/O George Elkington (PB463),
who hailed from Tonbridge in Kent. There were five other crew
members onboard, and all were killed. The absent crew member
was mid upper gunner, F/Sgt Logan, who must have considered himself
to be the luckiest man alive that day.
The unfortunate ground staff who were killed, all belonged to
5015 Works Flight; it is believed they were on parade at the
time.
Lancaster PB463 (EA-Y)
F/O G.F. Elkington Pilot
F/S C.I.
Walker F/E
F/S L.W.
Evans NAV
F/S J.W.
Petch W/OP
F/O H. Macaulay A/B
F/S M.J.C. Garrett P/A/G
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