Memorials

In July 2013 Princes Risborough Town Council erected three memorials outside the Library to the aircrew of three aircraft that crashed in the surrounding area during the Second World War.

It is with these memorials we remember the sacrifice of those aircrew that gave their lives during the Second World War.

If you have any more information about any of the airmen who died in these crashes please use the contact form. We would love to hear from you so we can add more details to the website about the airmen who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of freedom.

Avro Anson - L7964

On 30th January 1943 a Royal Air Force (RAF) Avro Anson Mk1 serial no. L7964 was on a Night Navigation Training exercise from the Central School of Navigation, flying from RAF Cranage, Cheshire. The weather conditions were poor and at 0250 hrs the Anson crashed at Longdown Farm near Princes Risborough.

The accident was witnessed by an Instructor in a second aircraft. All four crew members died, they were:

Sgt Edward A. Merry, Pilot,
Sgt James R. Craven Pilot,
Sgt Kenneth R. Blaskey Pilot,
Sgt Albert C. Poulton Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner.

Supermarine Spitfire - AD315

On 17th December 1943 an RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VB serial no. AD315 of 287 Squadron, was flying from RAF Ford, Sussex on an Anti-Aircraft Co-operation course. The weather conditions in the area were very poor, the area was covered by low cloud base and there was dense fog below it. At 1515 hrs the Spitfire crashed into Green Hailey near Princes Risborough.

It is thought the pilot decided to attempt to break from the low cloud in order to map read back to RAF Ford. The Spitfire flew into trees on top of the hill killing the pilot:

F/Sgt Peter Y. Morris.

Douglas C-47A - #42-93525

On 21st October 1944 a United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Douglas C-47A Dakota took off from Grove Airfield, Oxfordshire.

It was flying supplies to Stansted, Essex for an onward flight to France. The weather conditions were very poor, low cloud base and fog.

At 1030hrs approximately 15 minutes and 29 miles from Grove, the aircraft crashed at the top of Kop Hill, near Princes Risborough, killing all five crew members, they were:

1st Lt. Edwin E. Walker, Pilot
F/O Sam P. Rubinowitz, Co-Pilot
T. Sgt William P. Lulf, Radio Operator
Sgt Cecil A. Edmonds, Engineer
PFC Merl C. Stutesman, Engineer

The official crash record states the cause of crash as the pilot trying to fly contact (visually) in instrument conditions. However a number of eyewitnesses in Princes Risborough report seeing the aircraft trailing smoke before the aircraft crashed into Kop Hill.