Operation: Test flight

Date: 07th October 1956 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 831 Squadron Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm

Type: Sea Vampire T22

Serial: XA168

Code: 901

Base: RNAS Blackcap (Stretton)

Location: Willington Hall, Willington Lane, Cheshire

Pilot: Lt/Cdr. Henry George Tanner Age 33. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

The aircraft had been at Blackcap for modifications and was on its first test flight.

The flight took it over the Willington area of Cheshire where the Vampire was seen to come out of low cloud near to Willington Hall and dive into the ground adjacent to Willington Lane. The aircraft caught fire on impact an Lt/Cdr. Tanner, then aged 33 was killed.

Above: Grave of the pilot and right: plaque which commemorates all those who died while serving at Blackcap.

Burial details:

Lt/Cdr. Henry George Tanner. St Cross Churchyard, Appleton, Thorne. Husband of Elizabeth Mary (née Scott) Tanner of Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, England. Grave inscription reads: "They Shall Not Grow Old We That Are Left Grow Old Age Shall Not Weary Them Nor The Years Condemn".

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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