Bomber Command Memorial Register

Great Whernside Halifax Memorial

Great Whernside, above Kettlewell, Pennines (North)

Complete Record
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Location

Great Whernside, above Kettlewell, Pennines (North), Pennines (North)

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Narrative

On the night of 23/24 November 1943, Halifax DT578 from 1658 HCU at Riccall took off on a night cross-country training exercise. The aircraft was one of several Halifax trainers airborne that night in conditions that included severe icing at altitude. The Halifax struck the western slope of Great Whernside at approximately 2,000 feet, killing all seven crew instantly. For many years it was believed that DT578 had collided mid-air with another Halifax from the same unit, JB926, which crashed the same night less than ten miles away near Masham. However, closer examination of the Accident Investigation Branch reports showed that JB926 was actually over St Bees Head on the Cumbrian coast at the time of DT578's crash, and did not come down at Agra Moor near Masham until 01:15 hours. The two crashes were independent incidents, both likely caused by icing. The crew of DT578 were all British, ranging in age from 19 to 30. Navigator Frank Robson was the eldest at 30; the youngest, wireless operator Norman Martin and gunner Kenneth Vincent, were both 19.

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Halifax
Serial Number
DT578
Squadron
1658 Heavy Conversion Unit
Station
RAF Riccall
Date of Loss
1943-11-23
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Flew into hillside; probable icing conditions

Crew (7 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
SgtStanley Chadwick
1453551 RAFVR
Pilot21BritishKilledWalney Island Churchyard, LancashireCWGC
SgtFrank Weldon Robson
1451671 RAFVR
Navigator30BritishKilledHull Northern Cemetery, YorkshireCWGC
SgtFrank James Robinson
538137 RAF
Flight Engineer25BritishKilledChesterton Churchyard, StaffordshireCWGC
SgtNorman Sebright Martin
1600285 RAF
Wireless Op/Air Gunner19BritishKilledEast Finchley Cemetery, MiddlesexCWGC
SgtDonald Paget Aitken
1322354 RAFVR
Bomb Aimer21BritishKilledBognor Regis Cemetery, SussexCWGC
SgtErnest Stabler
1784108 RAFVR
Air Gunner20BritishKilledDistington Churchyard, CumbriaCWGC
SgtKenneth Vincent
1819902 RAFVR
Air Gunner19BritishKilledWednesfield Churchyard, StaffordshireCWGC

Memorial Details

Type
Crash site cairn

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Kettlewell with Starbotton Parish Council

Local Contacts

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

Skipton Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Kettlewell with Starbotton Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23

Detailed account of Halifax DT578 from 1658 HCU Riccall, which crashed into Great Whernside above Kettlewell on 23 November 1943. The aircraft flew in a flight of six Halifaxes on a stormy night with severe turbulence, gale force winds, and icing conditions.

Aircraft was built by English Electric, Preston. Previously in service with 502 Squadron Coastal Command. Icing conditions reported at 4,000 feet. Not a mid-air collision with JB926 as previously believed; both incidents were independent.

Crash database entry for Halifax DT578 at Great Whernside, North Yorkshire. Records the aircraft as from 1658 HCU RAF Riccall, lost on a night cross-country training exercise in severe weather.

Crash date 23 November 1943. Unit 1658 HCU, RAF Riccall. All seven crew killed.

aircrashsites.co.ukRetrieved 2026-03-23

Photographic documentation of the DT578 crash site on Great Whernside, including wreckage remains. Memorial plaque placed at the site in June 2016 by Joseph Stabler (half-brother of crew member Ernest Stabler) and the Robson family.

Memorial plaque dedicated June 2016. Organised by Joseph Stabler and David Robson with wider family members. A separate memorial exists inside the chapel at Hagg Dyke.

Family history society record of the Great Whernside crash site memorial near Kettlewell, documenting the seven crew members and their burial locations across England.

Crash site at approximately 2,310 feet on Great Whernside, Yorkshire Dales. Accessible on foot from Kettlewell.

Sources

  • militaryaircraftcrashsites.blogspot.com(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
aircrashsites.co.uk (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

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