Avro Shackleton M.R. Mk.2 WB833 coded T of No.204 Squadron RAF flew into Glenmanuilt Hill on the Mull of Kintyre during the morning of the 19th April 1968.

 

 

Crew / Passengers

Rank - if applicable

Position e.g. Pilot

Status

Robert Clive Leonard Haggett

Squadron Leader

Pilot

Killed

David Robert Burton

Flying Officer

Pilot

Killed

Michael Creedon

Flying Officer

Pilot

Killed

Roger John Duncan Denny

Flight Lieutenant

Navigator

Killed

George Craigie Fisken

Flight Lieutenant

Navigator

Killed

John Richard Frank Creamer

Sergeant

Air Engineer

Killed

Rodney Hellens

Flight Lieutenant

Air Electronics Officer

Killed

Thomas Frederick Anglin Buttimore

Flight Sergeant

Air Electronics Operator

Killed

Bruce Robert Dixon

Sergeant

Air Electronics Operator

Killed

Ronald Cecil Stratton

Master Signaller

Air Signaller

Killed

Nathaniel Michael Duffy

Sergeant

Air Signaller

Killed

 

The aircraft had taken off from Ballykelly in Northern Ireland on an anti-submarine exercise early on the morning of the 19th April 1968, it is reported to have been tasked with located a Royal Navy submarine that was in the area.  The area that day was shrouded in thick sea mist and at about 10:30 the aircraft was heard in the area south of the Mull of the Kintyre shortly after as it climbed up through the mist the aircraft struck rising ground near Garvalt cottage killing all 11 crew members instantly.

 

WB833 had been the prototype Shackleton Mk.2, the aircraft was converted on the production line as work had begun on the aircraft as a Mk.1 production aircraft.

 

The spot where WB833 ploughed into the ground is marked by this large scar with many small fragments of wreckage.

 

Above is the view from the crash site looking out to sea, with Ailsa Craig in the far distance.

 

During 2008 a granite memorial plaque, dedicated to Sgt Nat Duffy was erected by his girlfriend, Angie. This plaque has been positioned on the inside wall of Keil Cemetery which is located a short distance away to the east of the crash-site'

My thanks goes to 'Angie Ingles' for the photograph.

 

The crew were buried at various cemeteries throughout the British Isles, below if a photograph of Squadron Leader Haggett's grave at Newark Cemetery, just outside of the Polish War Graves plot.

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