Remembering those lost on mercy mission
On the 75th anniversary of a Moorlands plane crash, a special service was held in memory of the eight killed
A WELL attended service took place on Sunday to mark the 75th anniversary of those who were killed while on a mercy mission to the snowbound Staffordshire Moorlands.
‘We will remember them’ were the words spoken by Andrew
Machin chairman of Leek
RAFA during the 75th commemorative service of the Halifax RT922 air crash in 1947.
In February, 1947, the Moorlands was deep in snow with many villages cut off and running out of supplies.
During the long snowy winter, the crew of a Halifax aircraft RT 922, from Number 47 Squadron RAF, crashed on a mercy mission to drop food and supplies to the beleaguered villages of Grindon and Butterton, at Grindon Moor.
The crew of six, plus two press photographers on board, were killed in the incident.
A farmer from Butterton was tasked with creating a cross, in soot, from one corner of a field to the other to indicate the prearranged drop zone.
Unfortunately, the wing tip of the plane caught the ground on Grindon Moor in a white out and crashed, killing all on board. Tragically, many of the crew members had survived World War II but lost their lives on the mercy mission.
The service on Sunday, February 13, was 75 years exactly to the day of the incident, and was held at All Saints Church, Grindon, and was attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Graham Morley, the Grindon community, representatives of 47 Squadron RAF, members of RAFA Leek, RAFA cadets and the British Legion. Dignitaries from the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and the Mayor of Leek, gathered to pay tributes to the crew and civilian photographers who lost their lives in the tragic accident.
The pilot’s son, Donald Mcintyre, said: “I was the youngest of three children, only two years old when I lost my dad, who himself was only thirty one. This service means more to me than you could imagine.” A planned flypast over the church and Grindon Moor by 47 squadron had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions. Organising committee of Leek RAFA would like to thank all who attended the service along with the Grindon village committee who excelled themselves in providing refreshments after the service.
This service means more to me than you can imagine
Donald Mcintyre