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

Avro Shackleton Mk.2 WR963 at Coventry, Warwickshire
Shackleton Mk.2 WR963 at Coventry, in the process of being converted from an A.E.W. Mk.2 back to an M.R. Mk.2

 

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.

Avro Shackleton M.R. Mk.2 WB833
WB833 had been the prototype Shackleton Mk.2, being converted on the production line at Woodford as it was being built as a Mk.1.
This photograph shows the aircraft during an early test flight in 1952 prior to delivery to the A&AEE at Boscombe Down.
Image Copyright: Avro Heritage Centre, Woodford.
Crash site of Avro Shackleton M.R. Mk.2 WB833 near Garvalt, Mull of Kintyre
The spot where WB833 ploughed into the ground is marked by this large scar with many small fragments of wreckage.
Crash site of Avro Shackleton M.R. Mk.2 WB833 near Garvalt, Mull of Kintyre
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 at the time of his death, 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

Memorial at Keil Cemetery, Mull of Kintyre
My thanks goes to Angie Ingles for the photograph.
Memorial at the crash site of Avro Shackleton M.R. Mk.2 WB833 near Garvalt, Mull of Kintyre
Following the memorial plaque being placed at Keil Cemetery a much larger memorial has been dedicated to all of the crew who were killed at the crash site. This was constructed in late summer 2011.
Image Copyright – Angie Ingles
Grave of Squadron Leader Robert Clive Leonard Haggett, pilot of Shackleton WB833
The crew were buried at various cemeteries throughout the British Isles, below is a photograph of Squadron Leader Haggett’s grave at Newark Cemetery, just outside of the Polish War Graves plot.