Operation: Training

Date: 18th August 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 464 Squadron (RAAF)

Type: Ventura I

Serial: AE688

Code: SB-Q

Base: RAF Methwold, Norfolk

Location: Carnedd Dafydd, Wales

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. James Alexander Johnston AUS/20044 RAAF Age 22. Killed

Obs: Fl/Sgt. Eloi Joseph Emile Beaudry R/115650 RCAF Age 22. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: F/O. Lawrence Fullerton J/21048 RCAF Age ? Killed

Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Archibald Sidney Clegg R/169854 RCAF Age 31. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a night navigation exercise they had been detailed to take the route - Sculthorpe March - Stafford - Rhyl - Douglas - Rhyl - Worcester - Base. Also ordered to fly above cloud and to stay above 5,000 ft.

At the time the crew were on the outbound leg from Stafford to Rhyl, some thirty miles off course, the aircraft was heard flying up the Ogwen Valley and was then heard to crash at about 22:38 hrs.

Rescue teams reached at 03:00 hrs the following morning finding all the crew killed.

The subsequent investigation revealed no technical fault of the aircraft and that the crew were inexperienced in navigation.

Pieces from the aircraft are still located at the crash site today - please respect these crew members and leave them as you find (it is also illegal), perhaps leave a remembrance cross.

Further details and images can be found on the Peak District air crash sites, also Air crash sites UK.

Burial details:

Crew were buried at the cemetery on the 23rd August at 14:00 hrs.

Fl/Sgt. James Alexander Johnston. Chester Cemetery (Blacon) Sec. A. Grave 591. Son of Douglas and Louisa Jane Johnston, of Yelgun, New South Wales, Australia. Grave inscription reads: "Rest Eternal Grant Unto Him, O Lord".

Fl/Sgt. Eloi Joseph Emile Beaudry. Chester Cemetery (Blacon) Sec. A. Grave 904. Son of Mandoza and Augustine Beaudry, of Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "May His Soul Rest In Peace".

F/O. Lawrence Fullerton. Chester Cemetery (Blacon) Sec. A. Grave 814. From Toronto, Canada. No further details - are you able †o assist?

Fl/Sgt. Archibald Sidney Clegg. Chester Cemetery (Blacon) Sec. A. Grave 859. Son of James N. Clegg and Gertrude A. Clegg, of Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "Sleep On, Beloved And Take Thy Rest For God Has Called When He Thought Best".

For further details our thanks to the following sources shown below.