Bomber Command Memorial Register

Tintwistle Knarr Lancaster Memorial

Tintwistle Knarr, Bleaklow, Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)

Complete Record
Approximate location?

Help us verify this location. This memorial's position is not yet precisely confirmed. If you have local knowledge, photographs, or documentary evidence of the exact site, we'd love to hear from you.

Location

Tintwistle Knarr, Bleaklow, Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines), Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)

what3words: ///loitering.alas.pegged

Narrative

On the night of 20/21 December 1948, Lancaster PA411 departed RAF Lindholme near Doncaster on a night familiarisation exercise. The aircraft was meant to remain in the local area around Lindholme, but unknowingly strayed westward towards the Pennines. Shortly after midnight, the pilot began his descent procedure, believing he was approaching his home airfield over the flat plain of South Yorkshire. In fact, the Lancaster was over the hills above Longdendale. The aircraft passed low over the village of Tintwhistle before slamming into Tintwhistle Knarr. It burst into flames and was almost completely gutted by fire. Six of the seven crew died instantly or in the inferno. One crew member initially survived the crash but died shortly afterwards.

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Avro Lancaster
Serial Number
PA411
Squadron
RAF Lindholme
Date of Loss
20/12/1948 (post-war training)
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Aircraft strayed too far west of Lindholme without the pilot realising. He began his let-down procedure while still over high ground. The Lancaster flew into the hillside, burst into flames and was gutted by fire.

Crew (7 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
Flight SergeantJack Sherwood ThompsonPilot——Killed
—
Flight LieutenantPeter Maurice MaskellNavigator——Killed
—
Flight SergeantRobert SmithSignaller——Killed
—
Flight SergeantVincent GrahamFlight Engineer——Killed
—
SergeantWilliam Allen LoveSignaller——Killed
—
Flight LieutenantThomas Iowerth JohnsonInstructor——Killed
—
Flight SergeantDavid William Henry HarrisInstructor——Killed
—

About the Crew

Flight Sergeant Jack Sherwood ThompsonPilot

Flight Sergeant and pilot who unknowingly strayed west over the Pennines in heavy cloud during a night familiarisation exercise.

Flight Lieutenant Peter Maurice MaskellNavigator

Flight Lieutenant serving as navigator.

Flight Sergeant Robert SmithSignaller

Flight Sergeant serving as signaller.

Flight Sergeant Vincent GrahamFlight Engineer

Flight Sergeant serving as flight engineer.

Sergeant William Allen LoveSignaller

Sergeant serving as signaller.

Flight Lieutenant Thomas Iowerth JohnsonInstructor

Flight Lieutenant serving as instructor from 230 OCU.

Flight Sergeant David William Henry HarrisInstructor

Flight Sergeant serving as instructor.

Memorial Details

Type
Crash site marker

Memorial Care

military
Organisation
Peak District National Park Authority

Local Contacts

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

Glossop Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Further Reading

Peak District Air CrashesRetrieved 2026-03-23

Comprehensive crash site record for Lancaster PA411 at Tintwistle Knarr. Includes the full crash investigation findings, crew details, and information about wreckage still visible at the site. Loss of position in low cloud was cited as a contributory factor.

Aircraft was from 230 OCU (Operational Conversion Unit). The crash investigation found the pilot had strayed west over the Pennines in heavy cloud and began descent too early. Locals heard the aircraft flying low up the valley before a vivid flash and crunch of metal.

Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23

Accident database entry for Avro Lancaster B Mk VII FE PA411, recording the crash on 21 December 1948 at Tintwistle Knarr, Longdendale. All seven crew killed.

Aircraft type was Lancaster Mk VII FE variant. Based at RAF Lindholme. Night familiarisation exercise. Crash time approximately midnight on 20/21 December 1948.

Air Crash Sites UKRetrieved 2026-03-23

Photographic record and walking guide to the Lancaster PA411 crash site on Tintwistle Knarr. Notes that the site is one of three aircraft crash locations on the same hillside, along with a P-38 Lightning and three Hurricanes.

Multiple aircraft crash sites clustered on Tintwistle Knarr. The wooden cross memorial commemorates all airmen who died on this hillside across different crashes.

Sources

  • Wikipedia (Bleaklow)(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Peak District Air Crashes (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Air Crash Sites UK (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

Nearby Memorials

Higher Shelf Stones "Overexposed" Memorial
Higher Shelf Stones, Bleaklow (B-29 "Overexposed"), Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)Boeing RB-29A Superfortress 44-61999 "Overexposed"1948-11-03
7.4 km
away
Kinder Scout (2) Avro Anson Memorial
Kinder Scout (2), Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)Avro Anson Mk.I1944-12-11
10.9 km
away
Kinder Scout (1) Wellington Memorial
Kinder Scout (1), Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)Wellington Mk.IC1941-07-31
11.7 km
away
Rushup Edge Mk.I Memorial
Rushup Edge, Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)Hampden Mk.IWW2 (night cross-country navigation exercise)
18.5 km
away
Salford Lancaster Memorial
Salford, Lancashire / Greater ManchesterLancaster1944-07-30
21.3 km
away

Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.

Suggest a correction or addition