Vickers Wellington R1461
14.4 miles away
Clwyd
Bwlchgwyn Whitley LA766 Memorial
Bwlchgwyn (near Wrexham), Wrexham
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
Type
Memorial garden with VE Day 1994 dedication
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Bwlchgwyn (near Wrexham), Wrexham, Wrexham
what3words: ///hoot.owes.rewriting
What Happened
Warrant Officer First Class Roberts, a 22-year-old Canadian, was the pilot. Eight crew members were killed: Flight Sergeant William Henry Stewart, Flight Sergeant Robert Smeaton, Pilot Officer Ronald James Binham, Sergeant Cyril Edgar Aaron, Sergeant Alexander Taylor Strachan, Sergeant David Blackburn Lister, Sergeant Michael John Buckle, and Roberts himself. The youngest among the dead, Sergeant Lister, was just eighteen years old.
Community Connection
Site of RAF bomber crash, Bwlchgwyn - History Points Bwlchgwyn: RAF bomber crash site Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group Deganwy Beach Shelter Restoration Place-names unbundled: Menai Bridge Powys War Memorials Project 2014-19 Cof Lechi Caernarfon Slate Plaques Holy Island Landscape Partnership The Clwyd Family History Society Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust Discovering Old Welsh Houses Group Royal National Institute of Blind People Royal National Lifeboat Institution Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales Caerphilly Local History Society The Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society Llandudno & Colwyn Bay History Society Friends of St Julitta's, Capel Curig Llanrwst and District Historical Society Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society Tywyn and District History Society Abergavenny Local History Society In Neath Porth Talbot county borough Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society Crickhowell & District History Society Breconshire Local and Family History Society Crickhowell District Archive Centre The Merchant Navy Association (Wales) Western Front Association in Wales The Royal Institution of South Wales Amwlch: First comprehensive school Amlwch: St Eilian’s Church, Llaneilian Amlwch: Watchtower and lighthouse Holyhead: Former Eagle and Child Inn Holyhead: Former air-raid shelter Holyhead: Former Stanley toll house Holyhead: Stena Line ferry terminal Llanfaethlu: Former Borthwen Farm South Stack: Old lookout building Trearddur Bay: Lifeboat station Beaumaris: Cae Bricks housing estate Beaumaris: Church of Ss Mary & Nicholas Llanfairpwll: Former ironmonger’s shop Llanfairpwll: Home of Britain’s first WI Llangefni: Former railway goods shed Menai Bridge: The Anglesey Arms Menai Bridge: Former National School Menai Bridge: Former Prince’s Pier warehouse Menai Bridge: St Tysilio’s Church Penmynydd: St Gredifael’s Church Menai Bridge: Old steamer ticket office Abertillery: Ebenezer Baptist Church Abertillery: Former Bon Marché dept store Abertillery: Former Trinity chapel
Remembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Peace Through StrengthAircraft Type
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk V
Serial Number
LA766
Squadron
81 OTU
Station
RAF Tilstock
Date of Loss
1943-01-11
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Aircraft flew into hillside in darkness during navigation exercise
Crew (8 members)
About the Crew
WO1 David Rozell Roberts(age 22)Pilot
Killed when Whitley LA766 flew into the hillside at Gwernto Bach during a night navigation exercise.
WO1 Roberts was a 22-year-old Canadian serving with the RCAF.
F/Sgt William Henry STEWART(age 30)Unknown
Killed in the crash at Gwernto Bach.
F/Sgt Robert Smeaton(age 28)Unknown
At 28, one of the older crew members. Killed in the crash.
P/O Ronald James Binham(age 20)Unknown
Killed in the crash at Gwernto Bach.
Sgt Cyril Edgar Aaron(age 20)Unknown
Killed in the crash at Gwernto Bach.
Sgt Alexander Taylor STRACHAN(age 19)Unknown
Local accounts suggest Strachan may have been alive when found at the crash scene but died before help could arrive.
Sgt David Blackburn Lister(age 18)Unknown
At just 18, the youngest member of the crew.
Sgt Michael John Buckle(age 20)Unknown
Killed in the crash at Gwernto Bach.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Wrexham Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
History PointsRetrieved 2026-03-23
History Points documents the RAF bomber crash site at Bwlchgwyn, recording how Whitley LA766 of 81 OTU crashed on the hillside at Gwernto Bach between Bwlchgwyn and Rhydtalog on the night of 11 January 1943, killing all eight crew.
What you'll find: Detailed account of RAF Whitley LA766 crash, including crew information and site location.
Crash location: Gwernto Bach hillside81 OTU based at RAF Tilstock
Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23
Aviation Safety Network records the accident of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk V LA766 on 11 January 1943, confirming all eight crew were killed during the night navigational exercise from RAF Tilstock.
What you'll find: Detailed accident report and crew obituaries; honoring Armstrong Whitworth Whitley LA766's loss in 1943.
Aircraft type confirmed: Whitley Mk VAll 8 killed
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
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