Handley Page Halifax Mk.V DK185 No.1664 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF, crashed on the edge of Crawshaw Moss near to Ilkley on the 31st January 1944

 

Donald George Mcleod Pilot Officer RCAF Pilot Killed
Felix Byrne Sergeant Flight Engineer Killed
Lewis Riggs Warrant Officer RCAF Navigator Killed
Robert Henry Rahn Sergeant RCAF Bomb Aimer Killed
William George King Warrant Officer RCAF Wireless Operator / Air Gunner Killed
George Martin Sergeant RCAF Air Gunner Killed
Albert Lorne Mullen Sergeant RCAF Air Gunner Killed

 

The aircraft had taken off from Dishforth in the Vale of York on a night navigation exercise, the crew were flying some 40 miles to the south of their intended track and about 17:30 the aircraft struck the ridge above Ilkley and the aircraft disintegrated and burst into flames killing all 7 of the crew.

Memorial at the crash site of Halifax DK185, Crawshaw Moss, Ilkley, Yorkshire
A memorial stone was placed at the crash site on the 61st anniversary of the crash in January 2006, this makes the site easy to find.
Memorial at the crash site of Halifax DK185, Crawshaw Moss, Ilkley, Yorkshire
Above is a close up of the plaque.

 

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

Grave of Pilot Officer Donald George Mcleod at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery Grave of Warrant Officer Lewis Riggs at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery Grave of Sergeant Robert Henry Rahn at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery

Grave of Warrant Officer William George King at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery Grave of Sergeant George Martin at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery Grave of Sergeant Albert Lorne Mullen at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery