On the night of 31 May 1944, Halifax LL414 took off at 2219 hrs on a night cross country exercise from 1667 HCU at Sandtoft. It failed to return to base. Onboard the aircraft were eight airmen, six of whom were Canadian. There were no survivors.

	Glen Isla ~ Photos: L Druce

Pilot Officer Leslie Llewellyn WILLIAMS (J/85856) RCAF - Pilot
Age 22, son of Edwin and Ethel Ilena Williams (nee Honey) and husband of May Helen Williams (nee Mark) of Tonronto, Ontario, Canada. Buried in Montrose Sleepyhillock Cemetery grave 14.

Sergeant Sidney William DOUGHTY (933062) RAFVR - Flight Engineer
Age 20, son of Sidney William and Anne Doughty, husband of Hean Eveline Violet Doughty of Dagenham. Buried in Barking Rippleside Cemetery, grave 1678, section H.

Sergeant John Arthur TREBY (1867730) RAFVR - Flight Engineer
Age 19, son of John R and Ingeborg Treby. Buried in Montrose Sleepyhillock Cemetery grave 19.

Flying Officer William CAMPBELL (J/35226) RCAF - Navigator
Buried in Uphall Cemetery section F.F. grave 45.

Flight Sergeant Robert Trevor DEAN (R/181350) RCAF - Air Bomber
Age 22, sone of Robert James and Hilda Marion Dean of West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Buried in Montrose Sleepyhillock Cemetery grave 16.

Warrant Officer Class I James Stewart MACDONALD RCAF - W/Op A/G
Age 28, son of David D and Sarah MacDonald of Flatlands, Restigouche Co, New Brunswick, Canada, husband of Barbara Helen MacDonald of Flatlands. Buried in Montrose Sleepyhillock Cemetery grave 15.

Sergeant Thomas GOLDIE (R/215319) RCAF - Air Gunner
Age 21, son of George and Mary Goldie of James Island, British Columbia, Canada. Buried in Montrose Sleepy Hillock Cemetery grave 17.

Sergeant Vernon Thomes SHERVEN (R/211938) RCAF - Air Gunner
Buried in Montrose Sleepyhillock Cemetery, grave 18.

It is believed that the aircraft crashed at approximately 0200 hrs on 1st June after suffering from a combination of engine failure and poor weather conditions. After investigation the RAF concluded that the pilot lost control flying by instruments after the failure of one or more engines. The aircraft crashed out of control in a spiral dive in the Glen Isla area.

Visiting the crash site in May 2005 with Mike D and assorted children there is still minor wreckage to be seen on the hillside.

Sources:
Bomber Command Losses Vol 8 - W R Chorley
RAF Form 1180
CWGC website