B-17 Flying Fortress Z9A - No. 519 Squadron RAF
11.6 miles away
Highland
Dunbeath Mk.III Memorial
Dunbeath, Caithness, Highlands
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
Type
Memorial at Dunbeath
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Dunbeath, Caithness, Highlands, Highlands
what3words: ///unscathed.enhanced.blown
What Happened
On the afternoon of 25 August 1942, Sunderland W4026 took off from the seaplane base at RAF Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth at 13:05, bound for Reykjavik, Iceland. Fog persisted and the aircraft, flying on instruments, veered off its planned flight path. Just 37 minutes after take-off, at 13:42, the Sunderland flew into Eagle's Rock (Creag na h-Iolaire), a headland near Dunbeath in Caithness. Fourteen of the fifteen on board were killed. The sole survivor was Flt Sgt Andrew Jack, the rear gunner, who was thrown clear. Confused, disorientated, and suffering from burns to his face and body, Jack wandered aimlessly in the mist before being discovered the following day by the Sutherland family at their remote croft at Rinsary. The Duke of Kent became the first member of the Royal Family killed on active service since 1453. A Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry attributed the crash to navigational error.
Community Connection
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Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
Eagles Rock - Duke of Kent (Short Sunderland Flying Boat W4026 Air Crash)
A memorial commemorating the air crash of a Short Sunderland Flying Boat (W4026) carrying the Duke of Kent and other personnel. The incident occurred near Eagles Rock, about 3 miles west of Borgue, and 4 miles SW of Dunbeath in Caithness, Scotland during World War II.
Aircraft & Operation Details
We seek farAircraft Type
Short Sunderland Mk.III
Serial Number
W4026
Squadron
228 Squadron, Coastal Command
Station
RAF Invergordon
Date of Loss
1942-08-25
Operation Type
Ferry/VIP transport
Cause of Loss
Navigational error leading to controlled flight into terrain in fog
Crew (17 members)
About the Crew
Flt Lt Frank McKenzie GoyenCaptain/Pilot
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock. Blamed by the Board of Inquiry for the navigational error, though questions remain about whether he was actually at the controls or whether Wg Cdr Moseley was flying.
An Australian pilot serving with the RAF, Goyen was the official captain of Sunderland W4026. The investigation blamed him for the navigational error, but it remains disputed whether he or Wg Cdr Moseley was at the controls.
Wg Cdr Thomas Lawton MoseleyCO 228 Sqn / 1st Pilot
Killed on impact. As Commanding Officer of 228 Squadron, Moseley outranked Goyen and questions persist about who was actually flying the aircraft.
Commanding Officer of 228 Squadron. His presence as a senior officer aboard raised questions about the chain of command during the fatal flight.
P/O Sydney Wood Smith2nd Pilot
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
P/O George Richard SaundersNavigator
Killed on impact. Responsible for the navigation that the Board of Inquiry found to be in error.
P/O The Hon. Michael StruttAir Gunner
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Flt Sgt William Royston JonesFlight Mechanic/Air Gunner
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Flt Sgt Charles Norman LewisAirframe Fitter
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Flt Sgt Ernest James HewerdineW/Op Air Gunner
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Flt Sgt Andrew Simpson Wilson Jack(age 21)Rear Air Gunner
From Grangemouth, Scotland
Sole survivor. Jack was manning the rear gun turret which was torn free on impact, throwing him clear. Burned and disorientated, he wandered the moor before being found by the Sutherland family at Rinsary croft the following day. He was forced to sign the Official Secrets Act and refused to discuss the accident for the rest of his life. He felt the injustice of the pilot being blamed deeply affected him. He died in 1978.
Andrew Simpson Wilson Jack (1921-1978) was from Grangemouth, Scotland. He was 21 at the time of the crash. The sole survivor, he was haunted by survivor's guilt and the perceived injustice of the official findings for the rest of his life. He refused to discuss the crash until his death in 1978.
Sgt Edward Francis BlacklockW/Op Air Gunner
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Sgt Arthur Rowland CattW/Op Air Gunner
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Sgt Leonard Edward SweettFitter
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock.
Air Cdre HRH Prince George, Duke of Kent(age 39)VIP Passenger
The Duke of Kent became the first member of the Royal Family killed on active service since 1453. His body was initially interred in the Royal Vault of St George's Chapel, Windsor, before being reburied in the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore in 1968.
Prince George, Duke of Kent (1902-1942), was the fourth son of King George V and younger brother of King George VI. An Air Commodore on active service, he was 39 years old. He left behind his wife Princess Marina and three children, including Prince Michael of Kent.
Lt John CrowtherPrivate Secretary to Duke
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock while serving as the Duke of Kent's private secretary.
LAC John Walter HolesBatman to Duke
Killed on impact at Eagle's Rock while serving as the Duke of Kent's batman (personal attendant).
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Inverness Branch, Legion Scotlandlegion scotland
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
WikipediaRetrieved 2026-03-23
Comprehensive article on the Dunbeath air crash of 25 August 1942 in which Sunderland W4026 crashed at Eagle's Rock, killing 14 of 15 on board including HRH Prince George, Duke of Kent. The Duke was the first member of the Royal Family killed on active service since 1453.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Dunbeath Mk.III Memorial and tragic air crash involving Prince George, Duke of Kent.
First Royal Family member killed on active service since 1453Subject of ongoing conspiracy theoriesRAF Board of Inquiry concluded navigational errorSole survivor Flt Sgt Andrew Jack, rear gunner
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museums register entry for the Eagle's Rock memorial to the Duke of Kent and Sunderland W4026 crew. Two memorials erected 1946 by Ministry of Works: a Celtic cross for all casualties, and a secondary marker where the Duke's body was found.
What you'll find: Explore the Imperial War Museums register entry for Dunbeath Mk.III Memorial honoring Duke of Kent and Sunderland W4026 crew.
IWM memorial reference 6051Two memorials: Celtic cross and body recovery markerErected 1946 by Ministry of Works
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of the Eagle's Rock crash including full crew listing, flight path analysis, and the circumstances of the navigational error in fog. Documents the mission from RAF Invergordon to Reykjavik and the 37-minute flight before impact.
What you'll find: Explore the detailed account of the Eagle's Rock crash on this Memorial page.
Departed Invergordon 13:05, crashed 13:42Only 37 minutes airborne228 Squadron CO Wg Cdr Moseley was on boardFog persisted throughout flight
Undiscovered ScotlandRetrieved 2026-03-23
Guide to visiting the Eagle's Rock memorial site near Dunbeath, Caithness. Describes the remote location between Berriedale and Braemore, accessible on foot across moorland.
What you'll find: Explore Eagle's Rock Memorial: Discover remote Caithness site via moorland trek from Berriedale to Braemore.
Located between Berriedale and Braemore3 miles west of Borgue, 4 miles SW of DunbeathAccess on foot across moorland
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Undiscovered Scotland (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Wikipedia (Dunbeath air crash) (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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