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The Cheviot Hills claimed 58 airmen's lives in 19 separate crashes during WW2. On 15 January 1942, Wellington Z1078 of 150 Squadron departed RAF Snaith to attack Hamburg as part of a 14-aircraft force. Navigation aids failed on the return, causing the aircraft to drift far north. Lost and low on fuel, the Wellington struck The Cheviot at 1,500 feet in low snow clouds. Observer Sgt Irving was killed on impact. Local farmer John Dagg heard the crash and found three unconscious crew members and two more sheltering nearby. Despite Dagg's heroic rescue, pilot Sgt Hunt and wireless operator Sgt Maple died the following day. Three crew survived with injuries.
Aircraft & Operation Details
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Aircraft Type
Wellington Ic
Serial Number
Z1078
Squadron
150 Squadron
Station
RAF Snaith
Date of Loss
1942-01-15
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Hamburg
Cause of Loss
Navigation aids failed on return from Hamburg; aircraft drifted north and struck The Cheviot at 1,500 ft in snow clouds
Crew (6 members)
Rank
Name
Role
Age
Nationality
Fate
Burial / Status
Sgt
Laurence Warren Hunt
405278
Pilot
20
New Zealander
Died of injuries
—CWGC
P/O
Bertram Alexander Macdonald
J/6029
2nd Pilot
21
Canadian
Survived injured
—
Sgt
William Henry Allworth
1259356
W/Op Air Gunner
—
British
Survived injured
—
Sgt
Thomas Walter Irving
405378
Observer
23
New Zealander
Killed
—CWGC
Sgt
Frederick George Maple
1311110
W/Op Air Gunner
33
British
Died of injuries
—CWGC
Sgt
Charles Frederick Glover
535512
Air Gunner
—
British
Survived injured
—
About the Crew
Sgt Laurence Warren Hunt(age 20)Pilot
Sgt Hunt was a 20-year-old New Zealander serving with the RNZAF. He died from his injuries the day after the crash.
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