Site last updated 1st February 2012
Peak District Air Accident Research

Peak District Air Accident Research

 Peak District Air Accident Research

 

Handley Page Halifax Mk.V LL178 / WL-R of No.434 Sqn, RCAF, crashed near Kepwick on the 18th March 1944.

 

Crew / Passengers Rank - If Applicable Position e.g. Pilot Status
David Carson Evans Flying Officer RCAF Pilot Killed
Douglas Andrew Thicke Pilot Officer RCAF 2nd Pilot Killed
Geoffrey Hutt Pilot Officer Flight Engineer Killed
Edson Gilroy Armour Flying Officer RCAF Navigator Killed
Donald Edward Jackson Pilot Officer RCAF Bomb Aimer Killed
Walter Cotton Sergeant Wireless Operator / Air gunner Killed
Joseph Simon Sleigher Pilot Officer RCAF Air Gunner Killed
Robert Elmer Ballentine Pilot Officer RCAF Air Gunner Killed

 

The aircraft flew into the high ground to the south of Arden Great Moor while returning to RAF Croft from a "Gardening" mine laying operation off Heligoland in poor weather. On impact it broke up over a fairly large area and burned out.

 

Small fragments from Halifax LL178 close to the crash site, Copyright - Peak District Air Accident Research

The first items of wreckage, a couple of scraps of aluminium and some tubing.

 

Scattered remains at the crash site of Halifax LL178 in the North Yorkshire Moors

Further scattered items, to the bottom left are the remains of a landing lamp.

 

Main crash site of Halifax LL178 on Kepwick Moor in the North Yorkshire Moors

The main crash site is marked by two areas of burnt debris, this is the smaller of the two.

 

Main crash site of Halifax LL178 on Kepwick Moor, North Yorkshire Moors

This is the larger of the two burnt areas, just out of shot to the right are a couple of larger pieces which appear to have been dug out recently.

The stone in the middle was left at the site as a memorial to the crew.

 

Wreckage close to the crash site of Halifax LL178 in the North Yorkshire Moors

Not far from the crash site is this collection of parts, it is from many different areas of the aircraft so was probably dumped in the pit during the clear up following the crash.

 

Small memorial cross dedicated to the crew of Halifax LL178

Also near the site is this cross with a plaque engraved with the names of the 8 crewmen.

 

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

Flying Officer David C. Evans, Pilot

Grave at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery of Flying Officer David C. Evans, Pilot of Halifax LL178

Pilot Officer Douglas A. Thicke, Co-pilot

Grave at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery of Pilot Officer Douglas A. Thicke, Co-pilot of Halifax LL178

Flying Officer Edson G. Armour, Navigator

Grave at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery of Flying Officer Edson G. Armour, Navigator of Halifax LL178

Pilot Officer Donald E. Jackson, Bomb Aimer

Grave at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery of Pilot Officer Donald E. Jackson, Bomb Aimer of Halifax LL178

Pilot Officer Joseph S. Sleigher, Air Gunner

Grave at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery of Pilot Officer Joseph S. Sleigher, Air Gunner on Halifax LL178

Pilot Officer Robert E. Ballentine, Air Gunner

Grave at Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery of Pilot Officer Robert E. Ballentine, Air Gunner on Halifax LL178

 

For further information about the aircraft and its crew please see the relevant page on Richard Allenby's site,

Halifax Mk.V LL178

 

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