Handley Page Halifax MZ538

On 18 December 1944, Halifax MZ538 of 425 Squadron RCAF crashed shortly after taking off from Tholthorpe with a full bomb load, hitting trees close to the village of Alne in North Yorkshire. All eight crew were killed. Flying Officer Joseph R.J.M. Desmaris DFC was the pilot; the inscription records that it was his skill in controlling the stricken aircraft that prevented larger casualties on the ground. The eight Canadian crew are buried side by side in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission plot at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate. The blast damaged the altar window of the local church; it was restored with new stained glass in 1958. A framed print commemorating the crew is held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Alne.

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