SITE OF PLAQUE

In the grounds of Bryn Bach Parc

REASON FOR PLAQUE

This plaque,  on a piece of four foot quarried stone, was unveiled in remembrance of a wartime RAF bomber crash which killed one of its crew.

The memorial is important because although many of the military aircraft crashes across south Wales have been well documented this one was ‘relatively forgotten’.

Eifion Lloyd Davies of Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum conducted the ceremony and local historian, Wayne Morris gave a talk on the incident. Cadets and a standard bearer from 2167 (Tredegar) Squadron ATC also attended the ceremony.

PEN BRYN OER FARM

Raymond and Betty Rees Hawthorn lived in Pen Bryn Oer farm from 1933 to 1947, and on 13^th November 1940 they were to experience an event that would live with them for the rest of their lives. This was when a heavily laden Whitley T4232 bomber crash-landed virtually on their doorstep.

Not knowing the nationality of the aircraft, they bravely took up a shotgun to face the crew head on. Fortunately, it turned out to be an RAF bomber which was on an operations flight to Lorient to seek out German U boats.  Mr Hawthorne  gave the airmen shelter and took them to Rhymney hospital where Pilot, Sgt Peter Dickens-Goldsmith sadly later died. RAF officials used the Hawthorn’s front room as their headquarters and Raymond Hawthorn slaughtered one of his sheep to provide food for them. The local home guard were given the task of guarding the aeroplane and on the following Sunday they detonated the unexploded bombs. The aircraft remained for some time near the banks fo Bryn Oer pond where many momentos were taken away from it by local residents.

THE CREW

Although badly hurt, all five crew survived the impact. The wireless operator, Sgt George Christie dragged the others clear of the wreckage as ammunition was exploding in the burning aircraft. Unfortunately, there was also 3 unexploded bombs under one wing and four under the other.

THE MISSION

The Whitley bomber had taken off from RAF Leeming on 12th November 1940 to attack the submarine base in Lorient, southern France. When returning, the aircraft had become lost and struck Rhymney Hill.

THE PLANE