Photo: Geordie at War Project
R. Gasken
Flight Engineer
Royal Air Force
Auxiliary Air Force
3rd September 1942 age 28
Ever remembered
By his loving wife and son
807051, Sergeant Flight Engineer, Son of Robert James Gasken and Mary Bell Gasken, of Gateshead, husband of Isabelle Gasken, of Gateshead.
Sgt. Gasken was serving with 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit. He was a crew member of Halifax II W 1163 GV-U which took off from Marston Moor on a night circuit training exercise. On returning to the airfield, possibly with one engine having failed, and trying to correct the flight path, the pilot allowed the nose to rise too steeply and the aircraft crashed, killing three men, with the fourth surviving.
Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses: Vol. 8; Heavy Conversion Units and Miscellaneous Units, 1939-1947;W.R. Chorley; 2003; Midland Publishing; ISBN 1 85780 156 3
No 1625 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), codes JA and QV. Was formed at Marston Moor on the 3rd January 1942 from No 28 and 107 Halifax Conversion Flights. Equipped with B Mk Is to serve No 4 Group. On the 7th October 1942 absorbed no 35(B) and no 158(B) Squadron Conversions Flights. Received first B Mk 111s 3rd December 1944 and completed conversion by 17th December 1944. Disbanded 25th June 1945.
Halifax II W 1163 GV-U was from Contract Number B982938/39, requisition 116/E11/39. Deliveries commenced 5t September 1941. (V9976). English Electric Co Ltd (200 aircraft). B Mk 11, V9976-9994, W1002-1021, W1035-1067, W1090-1117, W1141-1190, W1211-1253, W1270-1276.
Source : The Handley Page Halifax K A Merrick 1990, ISBN 0946627608. Aston Publications.
See also Jack Duncan Duffus
He is remembered at Monkwearmouth in M46.02 page 45
