Ground crew working on a Vickers Wellington Ic

REASON FOR LOSS:

Wellington Ic R1491 took-off at 2146 hrs from RAF Harwell for a night navigation exercise. At about 0140 hrs on the 26th, Royal Observer Corps lookouts saw the Wellington on fire and it is believed that it may have struck the 1,100ft ridge of Craig-y-rhiw or the tiny hill-fort of Coed-y-Gaer, fracturing fuel lines or tanks before being catapulted back in the air.
At 0146 hrs the Wellington crashed into the side of Bwlch Y Rhiw farmhouse, on the B4580 Oswestry road two miles from the village of Llansilin, Shropshire (precise location is 52° 18’ N 3°59’ W). All five crew died. The occupants of the house, Edwin Williams and his wife Annie Jane were also killed, but their son Dan and daughter Nancy survived, as did a Land Girl who was staying at the house. Nancy and the Land Girl were trapped by the fire which followed the collision; they were very bravely rescued by Dan who suffered serious injuries during the rescue.

Navigator Sergeant Leonard Charles Muston photographed while training in Canada
Fifty years later, on 26 January 1993, the Vicar of Llansilin dedicated a plaque at Bwlch-y-rhiw to all who lost their lives in the accident.

Photo showing L to R Llew Ellis, Andrew Matthews, Nancy Povey (nee Williams) and Gill Holbrook at the site to lay a wreath. Nancy Povey was the 10 year old rescued from the tragedy by her 16 year old brother Danial.

The memorial plaque to those killed and missing that is now attached to the house.

(Right) Newspaper article published in January 20th 1993, where an eye witness on the night of the crash describes the bravery of the 16 year old son of the couple killed, in saving the life of his 10 year old sister and the Land Army girl trapped in the house. (Left) A second article published May 12th 1993 that records a visit to the crash site by the sister of the pilot.

Burial Detail:

Oswestry Cemetery, Shropshire, England

Leonard Charles Muston and his grave at Oswestry Cemetery, Shropshire, England

Sergeant Leonard Charles Muston Service No 1390823 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Death 26 Jan 1943 Age 28 years old
Burial Oswestry Cemetery, Shropshire, England Sec. T. Grave 212.
Son of Herbert and Emma Rose Muston, of Fulham, London.
Sergeant John Simpson Todd Service No: 1385587 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Death 26 Jan 1943 Age 22 years old
Burial Oswestry Cemetery, Shropshire, England Sec. T. Grave 120.
Son of David Alexander and Hilda Todd, of Tattenham Corner, Epsom, Surrey.

Runnymede Memorial Panels L to R Edwards Panel 148, G G Ottley Panel 160, B H Parker Panel 161

Sergeant Geoffrey George Ottley Service No: 1387817 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Death 26 Jan 1943 Age 20 years old
Runnymede Memorial Englefield Green, Surrey, England Panel 160.
Son of Alfred John and Mary Emily Ottley, of St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

Sergeant Cadfan Edwards Service No: 1313119 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 26 January 1943 Age 24 years old
Commemorated at RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 148.
Son of David and Elizabeth Edwards, of Ystrad, Rhondda, Glamorgan.

Sergeant BRACE HARRY PARKER Service No: 1300008 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died 26 January 1943 Age 26 years old
Commemorated at RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 161.
Son of Charles Edward and Ada Martha Parker, of Gravesend, Kent.