CORPORAL HORTON, - One night in October 1943, a Wellington aircraft crashed about 150 yards from the Flying Control Room at an airfield, Corporal Alice Horton [formerly Holden] who was on standby duty as a radio telephone operator immediately ran towards the burning wreckage. Just before she reached it the petrol tanks exploded and fragments were hurled nearby her. In spite of this she continued on hearing cries for help amd sje ultimately discovered the rear gunner trapped in his turret and enveloped in the flames. After some difficult Corporal Horton managed to open the escape door bu
CORPORAL HORTON, - One night in October 1943, a Wellington aircraft crashed about 150 yards from the Flying Control Room at an airfield, Corporal Alice Horton [formerly Holden] who was on standby duty as a radio telephone operator immediately ran towards the burning wreckage. Just before she reached it the petrol tanks exploded and fragments were hurled nearby her. In spite of this she continued on hearing cries for help amd sje ultimately discovered the rear gunner trapped in his turret and enveloped in the flames. After some difficult Corporal Horton managed to open the escape door but the gunner whose clothing and harness were burning was unable to get clear unaided. Ignoring the danager from exploding ammunition and the intense heat, Corporal Horton persisted in her rescue efforts and eventually she succeeded in dragging the airman clear of the aircraft and in escorting him to an ambulance. She displayed courage and devotion to duty of a very high standard and but for her action the gunner's life would have been lost. Picture (issued 1944) shows - CORPORAL ALICE HORTON,, Royal Air Force
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