DEDICATION TO BLENHEIM BOMBER CREW L8610

Crash of Blenheim Bomber L8610 at Mynydd Garnclochdy (Wales) on 22nd September 1940

On September 22nd 1940, Blenheim L8610 took off from Upwood, piloted by Sergeant H. Wilson. The observer was Pilot Officer A.D. Copplestone, and the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner was Sergeant John November - the purpose of the flight being an Operational Training Exercise.

The 22nd of September 1940 was a Sunday and the Eastern Valley of  Monmouthshire was having one of those quiet days that occur when the cloud ceiling is low over the surrounding mountain tops, and everyday sounds are muffled. At around 2pm, people heard a low flying aircraft passing over Garndiffaith. Mr Ken Jones, Talywain, who was a boy at the time and living at Garndiffaith, said that he remembered it was a Sunday afternoon. The day was cloudy with the mist and cloud hanging on the mountain ridges around the valley. He heard a low flying aircraft, which he couldn't see due to low cloud, that seemed to come from the Red Ash Colliery/Dogstone (north west) direction, pass by and then there was a loud 'crump' noise. He heard later that a plane had crashed and he went to see it next day up by the 'Devil's Heap of Stones'. He had a piece of wreckage as a souvenir.

Mr Jim Rees, who has researched WW2 RAF history with local involvement and who has contributed extensive information to our history group, says that on Sunday afternoon, 22nd September 1940, twelve Bristol Blenheims flew from east to west; one of these crashed in the vicinity of Garn Wen killing the three crew. The other eleven aircraft continued their flight to 17 Operational Training Unit, RAF Upwood, Huntingdonshire. As for the time a witness told him that the plane crashed when he was walking to Bible class at about 2.00pm.

All words above came from the full account of the crash by Ken Clark.

The inscription  on the memorial is as follows:

This memorial is dedicated to:

Sergenat H. Wilson, Pilot, RAF

Pilot Officer A.D. Coplestone, Observer, RAF

Sergeant John November, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, RAF

who died for our country when their Bristol Blenheim Bomber crashed near this spot on 22nd September 1940 during an Operational Training Exercise from Upwood, Hunts

THE ABERSYCHAN & GARNDIFFAITH Local History Group have made a 32 page booklet, with 9 B/W photos on the total account of the crash, which costs £1.50.  This very interesting booklet is available from Ken Clark (Editor)

Ken Clark

1 Varteg Road,

Varteg,

Pontypool,

Gwent NP4 7PZ

Tel: 01495 773073

COMMEMORATIVE INFORMATION TAKEN FROM THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION

click here for the commonwealth war graves commission

Many thanks to Ken Clark for all the information he sent me, and all of his help

Sean Edwards