Hampden L4189
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Hampden L4189
30 September 1940. The crew of Hampden L4189 of 106 Squadron were undertaking a navigation exercise from RAF Finningley near Doncaster when the aircraft crashed into the high ground of Black Edge above Dove Holes near Buxton.
The crew had become lost in low cloud and sent a message to RAF Finningley requesting a course to steer. However it would appear the pilot had also decided to descend through the cloud in the hope of getting a visual fix to determine their location and struck the hillside.
Air gunner Sergeant Powell survived with just a broken leg and was pulled clear of the fire by the rescuers who soon arrived at the scene but the rest of the crew were all killed in the crash. All that is left at the site now are a few lumps of molten metal.
CREW
Sgt. John Gray Gow, pilot (killed)
Sgt. Charles Owen Cook, observer (killed)
Sgt. Eric Burt, wireless op/air gunner (killed)
Sgt. Norman Thomas Powell, air gunner (injured)
Less than 3 months later another 106 Sqn Hampden crashed into Rushup Edge just 5 miles to the north north east with the loss of all on board.
Below; Map of this part of the Peak District showing the two crash sites
info on George Alfred Medd Killed in Hampden bomber 1940/41 returning
from raid landed and requested fuel,told to go to aerodrome further north ran out of fuel and crashed nr. church yard, the Canadian pilot survived. (was radio operator /gunner) any help would be appreciated.
Hi Peter Ref George Alfred Medd He was Killed when Hampden AE139 of 408Sqd RCAF crashed near Abingdon after taking off from Stoke Orchard it was his first operation trip. The aircraft took off from RAF Balderton at 1857hrs on a Nickelling operation in the Rennes area it landed at Stoke Orchard at 0120 taking off again at 1600hrs and crashed at about 1630hrs. The crew where P/O D E Vipond killed, Sgt H Philempin killed, Sgt E V Conwell survived and Sgt G A Medd killed.
hope this helps
Pete