Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Whitley Mk.V P5090 coded YG-L of 502 Squadron, Coastal Command RAF, crashed in Fathen Glinne during the night of the 23rd / 24th November 1940

Crew / Passengers	Rank - If Applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
William John Barnfather	Sergeant	Pilot	Killed
John James Westoby	Sergeant	Pilot	Killed
John Whitsed	Pilot Officer	Observer	Killed
James Gerrard Curtis	Sergeant	Wireless Operator / Air gunner	Killed
Jack Perfect	Sergeant	Wireless Operator / Air Gunner	Killed
W S Hamilton	Sergeant	Air Gunner	Injured

The crew had been on convoy escort duties over the Atlantic and were returning to Limavady in Northern Ireland in very poor weather. They overshot their base and had become hopelessly lost, eventually the aircraft flew into the hillside near Balquidder, Stirlingshire, while possibly flying north.

Above is the first piece of wreckage I came across on the way up to the crash site. It is part of the wing structure.

Closer to the crash site is one of the undercarriage legs, parts of the other lie near-by.

Above is where the aircraft impacted the hill and burned out, most of what is visible is loose rock but there are many small burnt fragments of the aircraft.

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