Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.V EB338 of 81 OTU crashed near Alsop-en-le-Dale, Ashbourne at 18:35 on the 13th May 1943 whilst on an evening cross country flight from Whitchurch Heath.

Only half an hour in the flight the port engine failed and was re-started but failed again. The pilot attempted a forced landing but struck the boundary wall on the eastern side of the Buxton to Ashbourne railway (now the Tissington Trail) travelled across the line tearing up the track and came to rest part way down an adjoining field.  Shortly before the crash a train travelling towards Ashbourne had passed by the site, had either the train been late or accident occured a few minutes earlier the outcome would have more than likely been very different.

Flying officer Bull (later Flight Lieutenant) was killed on the 15th April 1944 while flying Wellington Mk.X HE465 of 30 OTU when it crashed near Hixon.

Sergeant Otty was also killed in latter service. He was killed on the 3rd October 1943 while flying in Lancaster Mk.III JB346 of 103 Sqn, the aircraft, which was on an air test, crashed shortly after take off from Elsham Wolds. 

A view of the field in which EB338 crashed, this photo was taken from close to where the aircraft struck the railway.

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