Halifax LW115 Multi-Cache

PLEASE NOTE: this is now a Traditional cache and no longer a Multi

Halifax MKIII LW115

At approx 15:21 on the 14th July 1944 a Canadian Air Force Halifax Bomber belonging to 433 Squadron call sign LW115 took off from RAF Leeming on what was a cross country training flight, it was due to fly to Douglas in the  Isle of Man where it would make a course change.  By 16:05 the plane was approaching Douglas and was already in trouble, people in Douglas reported that the engines sounded strange and that the aircraft was very low.

At 16:20 a Police Sergeant in Laxey heard a strange noise followed by several explosions then from the west he saw LW115 coming down in flames, the aircraft was rapidly breaking up.

Pieces of the aircraft fell all over the Fairy Cottage area of the village, these pieces included a large part of a wing and engine which set fire to a house on Pinfold Hill.  Unfortunately at the time a family was in residence. The resulting fire swept through the house and was later to claim the life of a 3 1/2 yr old Alan McCulloch.

A search party led by Police Sgt. Godfrey set off in search of survivors from the aircraft. Sadly none were located, the bodies being found in a field at Grawe Farm along with large sections of fuselage. The wreckage from the crash covered an area of approx. 2 miles from Laxey Beach all the way to Agneash. In fact, in 1998 Steve Poole, author of the book used for reference in this cache, found a selection of artefacts in a farm lane near the crash site.

On board were 6 Canadian Airmen:

Flight Officer William Wallace

Flight Officer John Evans

Warrant Officer James Murie

Pilot Officer Bruce Tees

Sgt. Ronald Movold

Sgt. George Pidgeon

These six Canadian airmen were buried at Andreas Cemetery.

Also on board was:

Sgt. George Walker (RAF)

who was taken back to Yorkshire for burial.

This memorial is situated in the All Saints Church grounds in Lonan. Please visit the memorial.

GPS co-ords 54°13.150    004°24.608