Blenheim on Lune Moor, Staple Moss (lower slopes of Micklefell).

Blenheim L1252 (photo Jim Rutland).

On the 26th of October 1938 the crew of this aircraft were flying to Kingstown (Carlisle) from Catterick when they flew into bad weather and crashed into high ground in bad visibility. The three crew were sadly killed. They were the squadron's first casulaties since converting to Blenheims.

Pilot - P/O John O Sowerbutts RAF, aged 25. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.

Nav - AC1 William Ashbridge RAF, aged 21. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.

W Op / AG - AC2 Horace Redfern RAF, aged 18. Buried Catterick Cemetery, Yorkshire.

The three airmen were returned to Catterick and were buried alongside one another.


I have yet to locate the crash site.

David Earl's book "Hell on High Ground 2" gives an excellent account of this incident.