Avro Anson Mk.I EG693 of No.2 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit crashed on Craigronald near Newton Stewart on the 6th December 1944

 

Colwyn Parker Angus Flight Sergeant (RAAF) Pilot Killed
Maurice Schneider Sergeant Navigator Killed
John Walter Melhuish Sergeant Bomb Aimer Killed
Kenneth Richard Ridehalgh Sergeant Wireless Operator Killed

 

The aircraft had taken off from Millom in southwest Cumbria for a navigation and bombing exercise, while flying south over the mountains of southern Scotland the aircraft struck the snow covered northern slope of Craigronald. The crash was reported fairly quickly and a Mountain Rescue Team was sent out form Wigtown, when they arrived they found 1 crew member alive but he died before reaching hospital.

Assorted aircraft wreckage at the crash site of Avro Anson EG693 on Craigronald, Dumfries & Galloway
Above are a number of yellow painted panels and one of the main undercarriage assemblies where EG693 crashed.
Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine at the crash site of Avro Anson EG693 on Craigronald, Dumfries & Galloway
One of the Cheetah engines lies on the slope among the other wreckage.
Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine at the crash site of Avro Anson EG693 on Craigronald, Dumfries & Galloway
A close view of the engine shown in the previous image.
Partly buried Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine at the crash site of Avro Anson EG693 on Craigronald, Dumfries & Galloway
The other Cheetah lies almost entirely buried in a boggy stream at the upper end of the crash site.
Grave of Flight Sergeant Colwyn Parker Angus at Newton Stewart Cemetery
Flight Sergeant Angus was buried at Newton Stewart Cemetery 2 days after the crash, above is his grave.