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Kinder Scout (1) Wellington Memorial
Kinder Scout (1), Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines)
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Peak District National Park Authority.
Type
Small cross and plaque
Inscription
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LocationVerified Location
Kinder Scout (1), Peak District (Derbyshire / South Pennines), Derbyshire
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What Happened
Crew of Wellington W5719 departed RAF Snaith on the night of 30–31 July 1941, bound for Cologne with seven men aboard. Unable to locate the target through heavy cloud, they turned back with their bomb load still on board. Returning towards base in deteriorating conditions, Sergeant Parrott's crew overshot RAF Snaith and continued westward into the Pennines, descending too low in cloud. The aircraft struck the steeply rising ground on the northern side of Grindsbrook Clough on Kinder Scout, and the unexpended bombs exploded on impact. Five crew were killed: Sergeants Parrott, Haswell, Evelle, Webber, and Monk. Rear gunner Sergeant Earl Tilley survived when the tail turret was torn clear by the blast; injured but alive, he made his way down to the village of Edale to raise the alarm.
Community Connection
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Αιει Φθανομεν (Aiei Phthanomen)Aircraft Type
Wellington Mk.IC
Serial Number
W5719
Squadron
150 SquadronStation
RAF Snaith
Date of Loss
1941-07-31
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Cologne (aborted -- unable to find target in cloud)
Cause of Loss
Overshot base on return from aborted operations; descended too low in cloud and flew into the steeply rising ground on the northern side of Grindsbrook Clough. Bombs exploded on impact.
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
Sgt Sergeant Percival Harold Charles ParrottPilot
Killed instantly when Wellington W5719 struck Upper Tor on Kinder Scout and the bomb load exploded on impact.
Sgt Sergeant Joseph Arthur Haswell2nd Pilot (supernumerary)
Killed on impact. Commemorated on the screen wall at Manchester Southern Cemetery adjacent to the war graves plot.
Sgt Sergeant Jack Douglas EvelleObserver / Navigator
A Canadian serving with the RCAF, Evelle was killed on impact and buried at Manchester Southern Cemetery.
Sgt Sergeant Frederick Kenneth WebberWireless Operator / Air Gunner
Killed when the aircraft struck Upper Tor and the bomb load exploded.
Sgt Sergeant Dennis Aloysius MonkAir Gunner
Killed on impact at Upper Tor, Kinder Scout.
Sgt Earl TilleyRear Gunner
Sole survivor. Tilley was manning the rear gun turret which was torn free from the fuselage by the bomb explosion and flung into Grindsbrook Clough. Though suffering from shock and concussion, he was able to make his way down to Edale village to raise the alarm. He was hospitalised for treatment.
Sgt Earl Tilley's survival was extraordinary -- his tail turret was ripped free by the force of the bomb explosion and hurled clear of the burning wreckage. Despite injuries, he descended from the moor to Edale to get help.
Memorial Care
national park
Organisation
Peak District National Park Authority
Website
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Hayfield Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
Peak District Air Accident ResearchRetrieved 2026-03-23
Comprehensive crash investigation page for Wellington Mk.IC W5719 of No. 150 Squadron. The aircraft took off at 23:25 from RAF Snaith for Cologne but aborted the mission, unable to find the target in cloud-covered Germany. On return, the crew overshot their base and continued into the Pennines, believing they were still 2,000 feet above sea level when they struck the ground below Upper Tor.
What you'll find: Explore comprehensive crash investigation details of Wellington Mk.IC W5719 at RAF Snaith.
Mission aborted due to inability to find targetCrew believed they were 2,000 feet above ground levelBombs exploded on impact, hurling tail turret into Grindsbrook Clough
Air Crash Sites UKRetrieved 2026-03-23
Photographic documentation of the crash site on Kinder Scout with walking directions. Small wreckage fragments remain at the site. The article details how Sgt Tilley's tail turret was flung into Grindsbrook Clough by the bomb explosion, saving his life.
What you'll find: Explore photographic documentation and detailed walking directions to the historic crash site of Sergeant Tilley on Kinder Scout.
Wreckage fragments still visible at siteWalking route information provided
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Peak District Air Accident Research (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Air Crash Sites UK (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Military Aircraft Crash Sites blog (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
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