Skipton-On-Swale Station "This was their Finest Hour" Cairn erected in memory of the August, 1944 crash of a Halifax Bomber

"THIS CAIRN IN THE SHADE OF A CANADIAN MAPLE TREE IS ERECTED TO HONOUR ALL WHO THOSE WHO SERVED WITH THE RCAF SIX GROUP SQUADRONS AT SKIPTON ON SWALE DURING WWII AND THE MANY CIVILIANS WHO SUPPORTED THEM" (Complete text below)

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ON THIS SITE IN AUGUST 1944 A DISABLED ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE HALIFAX III BOMBER CRASHED ON RETURN FROM A BOMBING MISSION. RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF TWO CREW MEMBERS AND ONE CIVILIAN.

THIS CAIRN IN THE SHADE OF A CANADIAN MAPLE TREE IS ERECTED TO HONOUR ALL WHO THOSE WHO SERVED WITH THE RCAF SIX GROUP SQUADRONS AT SKIPTON ON SWALE DURING WWII AND THE MANY CIVILIANS WHO SUPPORTED THEM.  MAY THEIR ENTERPRISE, COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY BE REMEMBERED AND SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL.

DEDICATED MAY 19, 1984 BY A GROUP INCLUDING GRATEFUL SURVIVORS


skipton-on-swale monument
Images courtesy of Howard Cowperthwaite Skipton Memorial RCAF remembers
 James Robert (Jimmy) Harrison, Flying Officer (Pilot) J/21448

433 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force, 5th August, 1944

Stonefall Cemetary Harrogate, Yorkshire, England. Section E: Row A: Grave 3

Son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Harrison of Crossfield, Alberta, Canada

Click here to see the Last Post page of F/O James Robert Harrison.

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Dennis Lawson Whitbread, Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1624919

433 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 5th August 1944, Age 22. Husband of Lillian May Whitbread of Kempston, Bedford

Kempston Cemetery, Kempston, Bedford, Block J. Grave 30.

Son of Arthur Charles Whitbread and Daisy Beatrice Whitbread

Click here to read the Last Post of FE Dennis Lawson Whitbread.

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Kenneth Battensby, Civilian

Son of Robert Henry Battensby and Audrey Battensby of 53 Gresham Road, Middlesbrough. Age 5 when showered with debris.

Click here to read the Last Post of Kenneth Battensby.

To read John Beisly's account of the crash, click here.