Douglas Dakota Mk.III KG502 of No.1383 Transport Conversion Unit, RAF, crashed on Cold Fell near Castle Carrock, Cumbria, on the 3rd February 1946

C-47 Dakota

 

John Dennis Taylor Flying Officer Pilot (Instructor) Killed
Wilfred Donald Reeve Warrant Officer Pilot (u/t) Killed
Francis William Knowles Flying Officer Navigator (Instructor) Killed
Grant Taylor Wardle Sergeant Navigator (u/t) Killed
Alan George Frederick Gravestock Warrant Officer Wireless Operator (Instructor) Killed
Delwyn Thomas Flight Sergeant Wireless Operator (u/t) Killed

 

The crew of the aircraft, who were stationed at RAF Crosby-on-Eden, were undertaking a night cross country navigation exercise. They had taken off in the evening of the 2nd February. While returning to the air station at around 02:00 on the 3rd the aircraft struck the north western ridge of Cold Fell some 7 miles from the airfield. The remains of the aircraft were then destroyed by an intense fire.

Wreckage at the crash site of Douglas Dakota KG502 on Cold Fell, Castle Carrock, Cumbria
Only a small amount of wreckage remains at the crash site of KG502, the largest collection is in a pit a short distance from where the aircraft impacted.
Wreckage at the crash site of Douglas Dakota KG502 on Cold Fell, Castle Carrock, Cumbria
A view of another of the pits.
Wreckage at the crash site of Douglas Dakota KG502 on Cold Fell, Castle Carrock, Cumbria
Small fragments of metal in the scree where the aircraft crashed.

 

Grave of Sergeant Grant Taylor Wardle at Chester Blacon Cemetery
The crew were buried at various cemeteries across the country, above is Sgt Wardle’s grave at Chester (Blacon) Cemetery.
He is recorded in the records of No.1383 TCU as Sgt and F/Sgt by CWGC.
Grave of Flight Sergeant Delwyn Thomas at Wrexham Cemetery
Flight Sergeant Thomas was buried at Wrexham Cemetery, above is a photograph of his grave.
Also that of his wife and her second husband, Edith and John Henry Percival.