Carneddau (Black Ladders) Wellington Memorial
2.6 miles away
Gwynedd
Pen yr Ole Wen Mk.I Memorial
Pen yr Ole Wen, Gwynedd, Snowdonia
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
Type
Crash site memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
Pen yr Ole Wen, Gwynedd, Snowdonia, Gwynedd
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What Happened
Flying a training sortie with 3 (O)AFU, Anson Mk.I N9855 struck the slopes of Pen yr Ole Wen in Snowdonia on 8 November 1943. The aircraft was piloted by Sergeant Ernest Andrew Hoagg of the Royal Canadian Air Force. All five crew members perished: Sergeant John Hedgley Lewis, a Royal Australian Air Force navigator, and British airmen Sergeant William Gavin, Sergeant Leslie John Hill, and Sergeant Douglas John Roberts. The crew drew from three nations — Canada, Australia, and Britain — serving together in a single training unit far from their respective homes.
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
Anson Mk.I
Serial Number
N9855
Squadron
3 (O)AFU
Date of Loss
1943-11-08
Crew (5 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
Detailed account of Anson Mk.I N9855 from No. 3 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit, based at RAF Halfpenny Green near Wolverhampton. On the evening of 8 November 1943, a crew of five took off for a night navigation exercise covering approximately 320 miles via Rhyl, Conwy, Douglas, Maughold Head, and Chetton. The aircraft drifted off course and struck near the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen in the Carneddau, with wreckage falling down the north face.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Anson Mk.I N9855's tragic air accident at RAF Halfpenny Green in 1943.
Based at RAF Halfpenny Green, Wolverhampton320-mile navigation route plannedRoute: Base-Rhyl-Conwy-Douglas-Maughold Head-Chetton-BaseAircraft drifted off course into mountainsWreckage fell down north face of Pen yr Ole Wen
aircrashsites.co.ukRetrieved 2026-03-23
Documentation of the Anson N9855 crash site with photographs of remaining wreckage in the Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia.
What you'll find: Explore detailed documentation and photos of Anson N9855 crash remnants at Snowdonia's Carneddau mountains.
Wreckage photographed at crash siteCarneddau mountains location confirmed
GeographRetrieved 2026-03-23
Geograph photographic record of Avro Anson N9855 wreckage on Pen yr Ole Wen, showing remaining fragments at the mountain crash site.
What you'll find: Explore Photographic Record of Avro Anson Wreckage and Memorial Fragments at Pen yr Ole Wen Mountain Crash Site.
Photographic evidence of wreckage on mountain
Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23
Aviation Safety Network accident record for Avro Anson N9855 on 8 November 1943, confirming the crash details and crew complement of five. Pilot was Sgt Hoagg from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Sgt Lewis from Goulburn, NSW, Australia was also aboard.
What you'll find: Explore aviation safety network's detailed report on Avro Anson N9855 crash in 1943.
ASN wikibase reference 27996Pilot Sgt Hoagg from Edmonton, AlbertaSgt Lewis from Goulburn, NSW, AustraliaCommonwealth crew composition
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Peak District Air Accident Research (retrieved 2026-03-23)
aircrashsites.co.uk (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
militaryaircraftcrashsites.blogspot.com (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
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