F/O. R. H. TYE (R.N.Z.A.F.)  DIED.                        SGT. W. R. WEARNE. (R.A.A.F.) DIED.

SGT. I. R. McDonald (R.A.A.F.) DIED.                  SGT. J. KERR. (R.A.F.) DIED.

SGT. J. S. ECCLES (R.A.F.) DIED.

 

DETAILS OF ACCIDENT.

Took off from Church Broughton at 1535 on training practise. They were carrying out circuits (learning how to take off and land) and practising how to fly on one engine. At around 1550, the pupil pilot went through the drills, ready to shut down the engine. Tragically, he made a mistake and the bomber spun and crashed at Boylestone, 7 miles from Ashbourne. All of the crew were killed.  F/O Ralph Tye, was a very experienced Wellington Bomber Pilot and was an instructor at R.A.F. Lichfield. All of the Australians were buried in Scropton Cemetery. The two R.A.F. men were buried in their home towns.