Avro Anson Mk.I L7968 of the Central Navigation School crashed near Buxton, on the 15th October 1942 while on a night navigation exercise from RAF Cranage
Paul Joseph Woodcock | Sergeant RAFVR | Pilot | Killed |
James Munro Matheson | Sergeant RCAF | Navigator (Pilot) | Killed |
Richard James Reay | Sergeant RCAF | Navigator (Pilot) | Killed |
William Gordon Dale | Sergeant RAFVR | Wireless Op. / Air gunner | Killed |
The crew had been returning to Cranage but had mistaken one of the navigation beacons so instead of flying towards the airfield flew away from it towards the high ground around Buxton. Before they were able to correct this error the aircraft struck the hillside killing all those on board.
The two Canadians onboard were qualiied pilots, but were onboard as navigators.