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In the early hours of 6 July 1942, an all-Canadian crew from 22 OTU at Wellesbourne Mountford were on a night cross-country navigation exercise. Fl/Sgt Kemp descended from 10,000 feet in heavy cloud to fix position visually. The Wellington struck the summit of Waun Rydd at approximately 2,500 feet. All five crew were killed and buried together at Hereford Cemetery in adjacent graves in Plot A. The memorial cairn on Waun Rydd, built in 1980 by Tredegar Comprehensive School students, is the highest-situated war memorial in the UK.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Wellington Mk IC
Serial Number
R1465
Aircraft Code
LT-Y
Squadron
22 OTU
Station
Wellesbourne Mountford
Date of Loss
1942-07-06
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Pilot descended from 10,000 ft in heavy cloud to fix position; Wellington struck summit of Waun Rydd
Crew (5 members)
Rank
Name
Role
Age
Nationality
Fate
Burial / Status
Fl/Sgt
John Beverley Kemp
R88687 RCAF
Pilot
21
Canadian
Killed
Hereford Cemetery, Plot A (C of E), Grave 5619CWGC
Fl/Sgt
Ernest Edward Mittell
R71725 RCAF
Observer
22
Canadian
Killed
Hereford Cemetery, Plot A, Grave 5640CWGC
Sgt
Kenneth Ferguson Yuill
R106035 RCAF
Observer
30
Canadian
Killed
Hereford Cemetery, Plot A, Grave 5660CWGC
Fl/Sgt
Harold Creighton Beatty
R75332 RCAF
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
28
Canadian
Killed
Hereford Cemetery, Plot ACWGC
Sgt
James Patrick Hayes
R82352 RCAF
Rear Air Gunner
22
Canadian
Killed
Hereford Cemetery, Plot ACWGC
Memorial Details
Type
Memorial cairn — highest-situated war memorial in UK (~2,500 ft)
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