Wellington on Greenhow Bank, Pateley Bridge.

On the 26th of September 1942 the crew of this aircraft had taken off from Wing at 09.38hrs to undertake a day time navigation exercise. two hours later and whilst they were flying just off the north west coast of England the starboard propeller and its reduction gear broke away and fell off. The incident is well covered in Brian Lunn's book on aircraft crashes in the Nidderdale area and in other books. The propeller struck the fuselage as it came away, sadly killing an airman. The pilot set course for Dishforth but were unable to maintain height with only one engine. Flying for 3/4 hour with only the one engine the crew probably realised that they were not going to make Dishforth. In an article in Brian Barker's local history magazine "Old Yorkshire" of February 2002, Lucy Thirkill wrote that the aircraft was scene to flying over Pateley Bridge but flying in a roughly a westerly direction. The pilot must by this stage have realised their situation and had turned to find somewhere to land, moments after it crossed Nidderdale it crashed on Greenhow Bank. A number of people in Nidderdale had seen the aircraft fly over very low and witnessed it crash. Former Pateley resident Mr Derek Miles contacted me in 2007 and confirmed that the aircraft was flying east-west. Many of these people now made their way up to the aircraft which was now begining to burn. The pilot was able to free himself and went around to the rear of the aircraft but found the rear gunner had already got out of the aircraft. The pilot then tried to re-enter the front of the aircraft but was beaten back by flames. By this stage the witnesses to crash had begun to arrive.

Lucy Thirkill then states the following names of those arriving at the scene. Mr George Cornwallis-West and Mr Joseph Taylor who had seen the crash from Pateley Bridge main street, they had jumped into Taylor's car and set off for the aircraft, stopping to pick up local policeman PC Fred Graham. Also at the crash site was Dr George Walkley Alderman, he had stopped at the chemists to get dressings which he thought may be of use. Also to arrive was a member of the searchlight battery team from Pateley, Gunner George Henry Ward and a Mr Philip Thorpe who had been in his caravan at Bewerley. Gunner Ward and Mr Thorpe were first enter the burning aircraft, followed by Cornwallis-West and PC Graham. They were eventually able to pull one airman from the front of the Wellington (this would later turn out to be the dead airman killed by the propeller). Not knowing how many were still on board they attempted to enter the aircraft again but an explosion blew them off their feet. PC Graham then went around the back and tried to get inside again but another explosion prevented this. At this stage two airmen were located behind a wall and they were able to say that there were five on the aircraft, the other survivor was one of these and was thrown clear in the crash.

Brian Lunn gives a different set of names! Stanley Light a National Fire Service man and collegue LFF Fred Chadwick entered the burning aircraft and pulled the dead airman clear. The pilot and the rear gunner had already set off down the hill and to a farm.

For their efforts PC Graham, of Riggs House, was recommended for the Civilian Gallantry Award and the others received letters of appreciation. Also thanked were Fred Alcock, George Kent, Henry Read and Guy Buckle who had arrived later but also assisted in the rescue.

The cause of the propeller detachment was put at faulty maintainance with ground crew held responsible. The pilot had his log book endorsed in green for coolness and discretion.

Pilot - Sgt Laurie F Bertrand RCAF (R/109349), injured.

Nav - Sgt Stanley Langley RAF (1381333), injured.

BA - Sgt Harry Beazley RCAF (R/104295), of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Injured.

WOp/AG - Sgt John (Jack) C Keightley RAFVR (1202833), aged 29, of Wealdstone. Buried Wealdstone Cemetery, Harrow, Middlesex.

Rear Gunner - Sgt Sam Hitchen RAF (647480), injured.