The Wellington Bomber R1465 was flown by a Canadian crew on 6 July 1942 when the aircraft met heavy cloud. It is believed that the pilot descended from the advised 10,000ft to check the Wellington's location and struck the top of Waun Rydd. Unfortunately all 5 of the crew were killed and are buried in Hereford. Those crew members were:
Sgt J B Kemp, pilot;
Sgt E E Mitell, observer;
Sgt K F Yull, bomb aimer;
Sgt H C Beatty, wireless operator;
Sgt J P Hayes, air gunner.
It was incredibly moving to see the remains of the aircraft sitting in such a beautiful setting and knowing the sad story behind it.
As breathtaking as the landscape is, in bad weather conditions it becomes unforgiving and it’s not hard to see why the SAS choose this part of Wales for much of their training and selection process. RIP to all those who have lost their lives in this terrain. We will remember them.
