Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Blenheim Mk.IV V6078 of No.42 Operational Training Unit, crashed near Matlock while on a navigation and wireless exercise from Ashbourne in the early hours of the 7th April 1943. The aircraft struck some trees before ploughing into a field.

Crew / Passengers	Rank - If Applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
John Barry Welton	Pilot Officer	Pilot	Killed
Leslie Harold Redford	Sergeant	Navigator / Bomb Aimer	Killed
Eric Desmond Murphy	Sergeant	Wireless Operator	Killed

This photo, though quite dark, shows the field in which the aircraft came to rest. The trees in the background were the ones that the aircraft flew into. We found very little during our search of the site but what we did find indicated the aircraft was probably heading towards Ashbourne at the time of the crash.

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