Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV V6099 of No.13 OTU RAF, flew into Elidir Fawr near Llanberis on the 31st March 1943

Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV

 

Edward Alexander Perry Flying Officer (RNZAF) Pilot (u/t) Killed
Geoffrey Ian Gunter Pilot Officer Navigator (u/t) Killed
Henry Applegarth Sergeant Wireless Operator / Air Gunner Killed

 

The crew of the aircraft were carrying out a day cross country navigation exercise from RAF Bicester in Oxfordshire during the 31st March 1943. At some point during the flight the aircraft struck the northern face of Elidir Fawr not far below the summit of the mountain and was completely destroyed by fire.

The aircraft was listed as missing by its parent unit when it failed to return after the exercise but nothing was found. On the 12th April the wreck was spotted by a civilian and a search team was sent out from RAF Llandwrog to locate the wreck. They failed to find it on the 12th due to low cloud and returned to base after dark. The team retuned on the 13th and located the wreck which they quickly identified as the missing Blenheim.

Wreckage at the crash site of Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV V6099 on Elidir Fawr, Llanberis
Very little remains at the crash site today, mostly small pieces of burnt aluminium, the larger parts are sections of steel from the undercarriage and spars such as these.
Wreckage at the crash site of Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV V6099 on Elidir Fawr, Llanberis
Above is a section of the steel main spar from the joint between the engine nacelles and the outer wings.
Crash site of Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV V6099 on Elidir Fawr, Llanberis
A view from the crash site showing Marchllyn Mawr reservoir in the background.
Image Copyright: Mark Sheldon
Piece of wreckage with a Rootes Securities inspection stamp, builder of Blenheim V6099
While most of the aluminium parts at the crash site have been damaged by fire some, such as this one are relatively undamaged. On the left side (below and to the right of the upper rivet) is an inspection stamp bearing the mark R2. This was the code for Rootes Securities, the company which built the aircraft under contract for Bristol.

Two of the crew were buried at Caernarfon cemetery, they were F/O Perry and P/O Gunter

Grave of Flying Officer Edward Alexander Perry at Caernarfon Llanbeblig Cemetery

Grave of Pilot Officer Geoffrey Ian Gunter at Caernarfon Llanbeblig Cemetery

The third member of the crew, Sgt Henry Applegarth, was buried at Sutton Cemetery, Surrey.

Grave of Sergeant Henry Applegarth at Sutton Cemetery, Surrey
Image Copyright David Meanwell