Pen yr Ole Wen Mk.I Memorial
8.5 miles away
Gwynedd
Mynydd Mawr Memorial
Mynydd Mawr, Snowdonia, Snowdonia
Partial Record
The Memorial
Type
Crash site cairn
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
Mynydd Mawr, Snowdonia, Snowdonia, Gwynedd
what3words: ///rich.fall.scorched
What Happened
On the night of 12 October 1956, Sub-Lieutenant R. Davies of the Fleet Air Arm took off from RAF Valley on Anglesey in a De Havilland Vampire VZ874, briefed to fly locally and practice instrument circuits. Davies was in training on the type and had accumulated 110 hours on Vampires, having only recently begun night flying. Just ten minutes after takeoff, the aircraft struck the western face of Mynydd Mawr's summit in Snowdonia. The Vampire exploded on impact, scattering wreckage across the summit and into the cwm below to the east. Sub-Lieutenant Davies was killed. Fragments of engine and airframe spars remain recoverable in Cwm Planwydd today.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Aircraft (type varies by source)
Squadron
RAF
Date of Loss
WW2
Crew (24 members)
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Bangor Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
Peak District Air Accident ResearchRetrieved 2026-03-23
Listed among Welsh crash sites documented by Peak District Air Accident Research. Mynydd Mawr in Snowdonia has multiple aircraft crash sites from the WW2 era, though the exact aircraft type for this memorial remains uncertain across sources.
What you'll find: Explore Welsh WWII Aircraft Crash Sites: Discover Mynydd Mawr's Historical Air Accidents.
Aircraft type disputed between sourcesCrash site cairn on Mynydd Mawr summit areaMultiple WW2 crash sites in Snowdonia
Military Aircraft Crash Sites blogRetrieved 2026-03-23
Comprehensive listing of military aircraft crash sites in Wales including Snowdonia locations. Mynydd Mawr is referenced among sites with wreckage and memorial cairns from WW2 aircraft losses in the mountainous terrain.
What you'll find: Explore comprehensive listings of WWII military aircraft crash sites in Wales, featuring Mynydd Mawr's wreckage memorials.
Part of extensive Wales crash site catalogueMountain terrain contributed to multiple losses
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Peak District Air Accident Research (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Military Aircraft Crash Sites blog (retrieved 2026-03-23)
peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/wales (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
Suggest a correction or additionCan You Help Complete This Record?
This record for Mynydd Mawr Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
Email admin@bombermemorial.co.uk or contribute directly via our GitHub repository