Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Handley Page Halifax Mk.V DK185 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF, crashed on the edge of Crawshaw Moss near to Ilkley on the 31st January 1944.

Crew / Passengers	Rank - If Applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
Donald George Mcleod	Pilot Officer RCAF	Pilot	Killed
Felix Byrne	Sergeant	Flight Engineer	Killed
Lewis Riggs	Warrant Officer RCAF	Navigator	Killed
Robert Henry Rahn	Sergeant RCAF	Bomb Aimer	Killed
William George King	Warrant Officer RCAF	Wireless Operator / Air Gunner	Killed
George Martin	Sergeant RCAF	Air Gunner	Killed
Albert Lorne Mullen	Sergeant RCAF	Air Gunner	Killed

The aircraft had taken off from Dishforth in the Vale of York on a night navigation exercise, the crew were flying some 40 miles to the south of their intended track and about 17:30 the aircraft struck the ridge above Ilkley and the aircraft disintegrated and burst into flames killing all 7 of the crew.

A memorial stone was placed at the crash site on the 61st anniversary of the crash in January 2006, this makes the site easy to find.

Above is a close up of the plaque.

The Canadian members of the crew were all buried at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, below are photographs of their graves.

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