Cross Bomber crash 1942 Kielder Forest

Capleston Fell, Glendue Hill, Kielder.

1939-45

Memorial cross unveiled October 15th 1999.
Dedicated by Rev. Paul Adamson, vicar of Falstone.

Wood

Handley Page 57 Halifax Rescue Association.

None
(Dedicated to the crew of a Halifax Bomber which crashed in 1944 )

Wood cross with metal plate at centre

It stands in the piled up wreckage of the aircraft.

1. The aircraft, Halifax MkV, DK116 from 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit based at Sandcroft, Lincolnshire, was tasked for a Navigational Exercise on Sunday 15th 1944. Four hours into the exercise over the Borders the port inner engine caught fire. Shortly after, the captain could not control the aircraft and told the crew to bale out. Four crewmen were trapped in the aircraft, which crashed into Capleston Fell.

2. The cross was replaced in 2006 by a small group who were deeply concerned with the state of the current cross which was rotting. The Forestry Commission’s approval was sought. The Weardale Railway group made a new cross of Jarrah wood, which is very hard. The cross is also larger, about 48 inches high (122cms). The original bronze plaque was attached to the new cross. The rededication was originally planned for spring, but was delayed to allow ospreys to breed undisturbed.

3. No 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) Codes GG and KR (Lancasters LR). Formed 1st June 1943 at Lindholme with one B Mk V Halifax Flight and one Lancaster flight. Moved to Faldingworth 8th October 1943 then to Sandtoft 14th February 1944. A B and C Flights were formed 1st May 1944, and D (Instructors) Flights formed 26th June 1944. Commenced re-equipping with Lancasters in November and remaining two Halifax flights ceased operations in December.

4. The Halifax was made by Fairey Aviation Co Ltd (150 aircraft). Contract No ACFT/891/SAS C4, requisition HA1/E11/41. Deliveries commenced 27th October 1942 (DJ890). B/Met Mk V DJ980-999 DK114-151, DK165-207, DK223-271.

5.  This memorial should not be confused with a thin wood cross erected by Nick Short at “Hell’s Bottom” half a mile away, where there is also a trident and some mossy stones with letters on them. The initials on four small stone are “NS” “EW” “UD” “RR”. This was created by Mr. Nick Short who was commemorating the legends surrounding the area known as “Hells Bottom”, The interpretation of the initials is as follows: “North and South” “East and West”. When you are at Hell’s bottom do you go “Up and Down” or “Round and Round”? Nick Short did not realise that half a mile in airplane crash terms is very small! He has left other objects on similar small sites for people to stumble across. See “The Cross of the Four Elevens” and “The Lassie in the Coat of Poppy Red“

Photos: George Brown; F.J. Newby

Hexham Courant
07/01/2005 carries report on researches into plane crashes by ACIA (Air Crash Investigation and Archaeology)

Journal
06/11/2012 reports replacement of the rotting cross.

Ian Surley,
Ken Marsden,
George Brown;
Nick Short;
F.J. Newby

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk