Hawker Hurricanes AG275 & AG264
‹ Return to Air Crash Sites
Hawker Hurricanes AG275 & AG264
The view is from Brim Fell which is near the Old Man of Coniston, and is looking down to Levers Water.
April 23 1943. Having left their base at RAF Annan, two Australian pilots, Sgt Henry Marinus Atherton (21) and Sgt Leonard Thomas Cook (20) had been undertaking some training with a third instructor aircraft over North West England.
Upon completion they were ordered to do some more practising but after their morning’s work they may have decided upon a pleasure flight instead. Flying south in low cloud the two aircraft struck the high ground near Coniston, killing both men instantly.
Uncertain which of the two Hurricanes crashed at this spot, hence the poppy cross dedicated to both men.
Below; An interesting find; a fuse box plate from a Hurricane which we left, buried at the crash site.
Inspiring stuff as always Ian …and what a tragedy, two young men – only just out of their ‘teens’ …….and flying Hurricanes! One can only hope they knew little of what actually occurred and that their families could take some comfort in that they died serving their countries and doing what they did best.
Very inspiring shots Ian. Fascinating info as usual.
Great composition and excellent info, as ever..
Great shot Ian and info as usual. Did you collect the bits together or have they been left like that?
Coincidentally the BBMF Hurricane has been over our place twice today – living in Lincolnshire has it’s benefits!
Thanks everyone.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/highy]
Hi Al, there was a pile at this spot, to which I added a few more bits which were scattered about.
Lincs, aye, we were talking about getting out to see you earlier today.
Great shot Ian , mine of this angle were not so good but the other angle have come out well , i will write something up over the weekend ! got a great one of you taking this very shot !
nice find Ian
love the view, great indication of height and scale of the terrain. i like that you have the background in bokeh too, not as defined as it draws the eye to all them interesting bits in the foreground. the red of the poppy agains the blue of the water and white of the rocks and metal, gorgeous contrast. an unfortunate tale behind this beautiful shot. thanks for providing them a poppy Ian.
Yep, second Ang’s comment on providing a poppy to these two young Aussies. Super view.
Beautiful capture Ian… and a lovley touch with the Poppy! %-)
Such another great landscape – nice capture Ian with the memorial in the foreground
Agree with Ang’s view also. I’m impressed that you left the find in respect to these flyers whereas trophy hunters may not appreciate the importance of sentiment.
🙂
A great photo, with a strong composition.
Good historical notes too.
as always Ian respect to these young lads and to you and Paul for putting in the leg work
great wee memorial
Interesting narrative Ian. Given that the pilots were based in Annan I would have thought they would have been familiar with the height restriction of the Lakes.
Spectacular view, gorgeous part of the world, can see how any low cloud would catch you out there, agree with Ang about the background, although I don’t think I’d have consciously realised without it being pointed out
What a location!But such an unlucky pair.
Super shot Ian and another tragic story – great that you and Paul put all this effort in to reveal the history of these sites and to remember the brave souls who risked so much for us.
Many thanks everyone.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/davel59] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reflectionsreturn] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/amybigkiss] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/angwickham]
It’s a privilege to be able to leave poppy crosses and to remember these chaps.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/bill_fawcett]
That was pretty much the view of the board of inquiry.
Great composition and interesting info, Ian.
This story reminded me of Hurricane which I saw in the Malta Aviation Museum.
Stunning, as always.
There was two large chunks of its engine lying in a bog at the bottom of that scree slope when I last visited.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/83272243@N08]
Thanks dadd063, they might still be there, it is likely there’s some fragments still on the screes but we didn’t descend that far.
Of course, there are two engines from Anson EG686 lying in a bog a little to the north of this place, photos of those on this page.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianlayzellphotographs] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/bazylek]
Thanks Ian, thanks Robin.
They wern’t the Anson engines, they were two lumps of RR Merlin engine,however they are no longer there. If your interested I have put the photos I took of them on my website here:-http://www.wtdwhd.co.uk/AG264%282015%29.html