Bristol Beaufort Mk.I L4479 of No.5 (C)OTU, crashed on Goat Fell on the 30th August 1942

Bristol Beaufort at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon

 

Louis Orlin Glay Flight Sergeant RCAF Pilot Killed
John Orville MacLean Flight Sergeant RCAF Observer Killed
John William Leyland Flight Sergeant RCAF Wireless Operator / Air Gunner Killed

 

The crew of the aircraft were on a training flight from RAF Turnberry to the South of Ayr on the evening of the 30th August 1942. An hour and forty five minutes into the flight at about 22:20 the aircraft struck the southern spur of Goat Fell approximately half way down the mountain around South Slabs where it was destroyed by a fierce fire.

 

Crash site of Bristol Beaufort L4479 on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran
A photo taken in less than perfect weather conditions at the crash site of L4479 showing a large scar where the aircraft burned out.
Crash site of Bristol Beaufort Mk.I L4479 on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran
This photograph was taken on a second visit to the crash site 14 years after the one shown above. It is looking across Glen Rosa with Beinn Nuis, Beinn a’Chliabhain and Beinn Tarsuinn in the background.
Crash site of Bristol Beaufort Mk.I L4479 on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran
Looking up towards the summit of Goat Fell from the lower part of the crash site with some of the remaining wreckage in the foreground.

Section of spar from L4479 near the crash site on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran
This section of spar is one of the larger items left, there are two other sections of spar like this lower down the mountain.
Crash site of Bristol Beaufort Mk.I L4479 on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran
The view from the crash site towards the south, with Holy Isle in Lamlash Bay in the distance.

 

The three crew members were all buried at Dunure Cemetery to the south of Ayr.

Grave of Flight Sergeant Louis Orlin Glay at Dunure Cemetery, Ayrshire
Flight Sergeant Glay
Grave of Flight Sergeant John Orville MacLean at Dunure Cemetery, Ayrshire
Flight Sergeant MacLean
Grave of Flight Sergeant John William Leyland at Dunure Cemetery, Ayrshire
Flight Sergeant Leyland