Bomber Command Memorial Register

Ben Tirran / Muckle Cairn Wellington Memorial

Ben Tirran / Muckle Cairn, Angus

Complete Record
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Location

Ben Tirran / Muckle Cairn, Angus, Angus

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Narrative

On 9 August 1942, Wellington L7845 departed RAF Lossiemouth on an air test. During flight, part of the engine cowling detached and struck one of the propellers, causing severe damage and engine failure. The pilot attempted a forced landing in the remote hills between Ben Tirran and Muckle Cairn in the Angus glens. The landing attempt failed and four of the five crew were killed on impact. The rear gunner, Sgt Thomas Holman, protected in his turret at the tail, survived. Three of the four dead were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force and were buried together in Fettercairn Cemetery; the fourth, a member of the RAF, was returned to his family in Tyne and Wear. In 2012, the nephew and niece of Sgt Observer Joe Wetherson visited the crash site to lay a memorial plaque while bagpipes were played. The propeller of the crashed Wellington is now displayed at Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre.

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Vickers Wellington Mk.IC
Serial Number
L7845
Squadron
20 OTU
Station
RAF Lossiemouth
Date of Loss
1942-08-09
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Engine cowling detached in flight, damaging propeller, causing engine failure; crashed during forced landing attempt

Crew (5 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
F/SgtArthur KeenePilot—CanadianKilledFettercairn CemeteryCWGC
SgtJoseph WethersonObserver23CanadianKilledFettercairn CemeteryCWGC
SgtOscar JensenWireless Operator/Air Gunner—CanadianKilledFettercairn CemeteryCWGC
SgtAlfred KirbyObserver—CanadianKilledCemetery in Tyne and WearCWGC
SgtThomas HolmanRear Gunner—BritishSurvived—

About the Crew

Sgt Joseph Wetherson(age 23)Observer

Sgt Wetherson was 23 years old at the time of the crash. His family in Canada maintained contact with the crash site and in 2012, relatives made a pilgrimage to lay a memorial plaque.

Memorial Details

Type
Crash site with wreckage remains; memorial marker

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Arbroath Branch, Legion Scotlandlegion scotland

Local remembrance and memorial support

Further Reading

Press and JournalRetrieved 2026-03-23

Press and Journal feature on wreck hunters visiting Scottish crash sites, including the Wellington L7845 wreckage on the hills between Ben Tirran and Muckle Cairn. Substantial wreckage remains visible including engines, wheels, undercarriage, wing sections, and a largely intact geodetic lattice tail section.

Substantial wreckage still visible on hillsideEngines, wheels, undercarriage components remainTail section geodetic lattice largely intactAccess requires hill walk from Glen Clova

Deeside Hillwalking ClubRetrieved 2026-03-23

Hillwalking club account of visiting the Wellington crash site, documenting the extent of remaining wreckage and the remote hill location between Ben Tirran and Muckle Cairn / Tom Titlach in the Angus glens.

Located near Muckle Cairn / Tom TitlachAbove Glen Esk in AngusAccessible via hill walk

The CourierRetrieved 2026-03-23

The Courier's wreck hunters feature documents how the propeller from Wellington L7845 was recovered and is now displayed at Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, and how a memorial plaque was laid at the site in 2012 by relatives of Sgt Observer Joe Wetherson.

Propeller displayed at Montrose Air Station Heritage CentreMemorial plaque laid 2012 by Wetherson familyBagpipes played at plaque dedication ceremony

Sources

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Press and Journal (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Deeside Hillwalking Club (retrieved 2026-03-23)
The Courier (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

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