Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.V P5041 of 502 Squadron, RAF, flew into high ground above the long abandoned settlement at Balmavicar on the Mull of Kintyre on the 23rd January 1941.
|
Crew / Passengers |
Rank - If Applicable |
Position e.g. Pilot |
Status |
|
Philip Leslie Billing |
Flight Lieutenant |
Pilot |
Killed |
|
Arthur Peter Buckley Holmes |
Flying Officer |
Navigator |
Killed |
| Herbert Pilling | Sergeant | Observer | Killed |
|
Alec Raymond Hooker |
Sergeant |
Observer |
Killed |
|
David John Peter Bradley |
Sergeant |
Wireless Operator |
Killed |
The aircraft had taken off from Aldergrove in Northern Ireland on convoy escort duties, the crew became lost in bad weather (most likely while returning to Aldergrove) and flew too far east with fatal consequences for all on board. Within 200 yards is where Neptune WX545 crashed 15 years later.
Myself at the crash site of P5041, there is a large burnt scar and nearby are some panels and a single main under carriage oleo.
The single oleo from the aircraft is shown here.
The wireless operator, Sergeant Bradley was buried at Willesden New Cemetery in North London, below is a photograph of his grave.
