Blenheim Mk.I L1476 of 64 Sqn RAF crashed on Sykes Moor 30th January 1939 while on a training flight from RAF Church Fenton near Tadcaster.

The crew had taken off from Church Fenton to carryout a local flying exercise, both of the crew where fairly new to the Squadron and Church Fenton so were familiarising themselves with the surrounding area. P/O Stanley Robinson had been awarded his wings 19 months earlier in June 1937 and had flown for a total of 300 hours. The aircraft failed to return from the exercise and was reported missing, it was on the 12th February 1939 a full two weeks since the aircraft disappeared, that the wreck was discovered by a member of a local walking club who was trying to catch up with his party. The aircraft had dived into the ground killing both crew instantly. In 1991 the memorial shown in the photo below was placed at the site.

Here’s a photo taken slightly up hill from the wreckage in the background it’s possible to see the Pennine Way on the opposite side of Torside Clough.  

The remains of aircraft's tail, this photo was taken during my second visit to the site in early Feb 01 hence the snow.

Below are photographs of the crew's graves at Church Fenton

Copyright - Richard Allenby www.allenby.info

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