Airspeed Oxford Mk.I T1287 of No.4 Air Observer School flew into Shalloch on Minnoch on the 10th October 1941

 

Dick Tester Sergeant Pilot Killed
Edward O’Grady Sergeant Observer (u/t) Killed
Thomas Norman McConnell Leading Aircraftman Observer (u/t) Killed

 

On the 10th October 1941 Oxford T1287 was being used for a training flight from RAF West Freugh near to Stranraer. There were two trainee Observers onboard the aircraft with a staff pilot flying the aircraft. West Freugh lies to the south west of the mountains of Dumfries & Galloway and it was into one of those that mountains that the aircraft crashed.

Shalloch on Minnoch is at the northern end of a range known as the Awful Hand, and just into South Ayrshire, which rises to between 2,000 and 2,800 feet above sea level. It was while flying at just over 2,000 feet that the aircraft struck the western spur of Shalloch on Minnoch a few hundred feet below the summit.

Wreckage at the crash site of Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
Most of the wreckage is gathered together into a few collections, such as this one.
Wreckage from Airspeed Oxford T1287 at its crash site on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
Fuel tanks and engine parts at the crash site.
Crash site of Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
Looking south west from the crash site towards Stranraer.
Wreckage from Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
A section of engine exhaust and it shroud.
Wreckage from Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
One of many pieces at the site which still has yellow paint adhered.
Wreckage from Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
A section of cowlling from one of the engine nacelles.
Wreckage from Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
A flattened cowl panel from the aircraft, when turned over a frog was found sheltering inside so it was put back where it had been.
Wreckage from Airspeed Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
An oil cooler from the aircraft lying in the grass at the crash site.
Wreckage at the crash site of Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch, Ayrshire
Stainless steel bracing plates from the aircraft’s spars.

The three crew of the aircraft were killed in the crash, their bodies being recovered by personnel from RAF West Freugh. Sergeant O’Grady was buried at Stonykirk.

Grave of Sergeant Edward O'Grady, killed onboard Oxford T1287 on Shalloch on Minnoch
Sergeant O’Grady’s grave at Stoneykirk Cemetery near to West Freugh airfield.
Little is known about him, his service number indicates that he was a transferee from the Army.