Besides the war memorial at Pennal is a simple bronze memorial plaque, which commemorates the lives of six men, five of the Royal Air Force, and one of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who were killed on 17 August 1941 when their Vickers Wellington IC, Serial R1068, crashed into high ground at Ffridd Rhosfarch, after becoming lost whilst on a training flight. The Wellington, of 21 OTU, had taken off from RAF Moreton-in-Marsh early that day and was thought to have mistaken the Dyfi Estuary for the coast, before hitting the hill. The memorial contains the following inscription:
TO THE MEMORY OF SIX MEMBERS
OF THE R.A.F.
WHO DIED FOR FREEDOM WHEN THEIR
PLANE CRASHED ON “FFRIDD RHOSFARCH”
17 AUGUST 1941
And the names of the six crewmen of the aircraft who were killed during the crash:
George Hewison, Sergeant, 1379096, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. George was born on 4 January 1911. He married Kathleen Spencer, of Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1935. George enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve following the outbreak of war and was posted to No 21 Operational Training Unit for training on the Vickers Wellington. George was 30 years old when he was killed during the crash of Wellington R1068 at Pennal on 17 August 1941. His remains were conveyed home for burial in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (St. John’s Westgate and Elswick) Cemetery, England.
Allan Jackets, Sergeant, 994357, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Allan was the son of Thomas William Jackets and Ada Annie Jackets (nee Willcock), of Hull. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve following the outbreak of war and was posted to No 21 Operational Training Unit for training on the Vickers Wellington. Allan was 21 years old when he was killed during the crash of Wellington R1068 at Pennal on 17 August 1941. His remains were conveyed home for burial in Hull Eastern Cemetery, England.
George Joyce Matthews, Pilot Officer, 100059, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. George was from Oakham, Rutland. He was serving with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve prior to the war and married Helen Margery Burchill Doble at Gloucester in 1938. George was posted to No 21 Operational Training Unit for training on the Vickers Wellington. He was 27 years old when he was killed during the crash of Wellington R1068 at Pennal on 17 August 1941. His remains were conveyed home for burial in Cottesmore (St. Nicholas) Churchyard Extension, Rutland.
Herbert George Mole, Sergeant, 1375799, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Herbert was born on 13 September 1913, the son of Herbert William Mole, and of Mable Mole, of Kew, Surrey. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve following the outbreak of war and was posted to No 21 Operational Training Unit for training on the Vickers Wellington. George was 30 years old when he was killed during the crash of Wellington R1068 at Pennal on 17 August 1941. His remains were conveyed home for burial in East London Cemetery, Plaistow.
John Francis Moore, Sergeant, 1252146, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the son of Gerald and Margaret Moore, of Janesboro, Limerick, Irish Republic. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve following the outbreak of war and was posted to No 21 Operational Training Unit for training on the Vickers Wellington. John was 21 years old when he was killed during the crash of Wellington R1068 at Pennal on 17 August 1941. His remains were buried with full military honours in Tywyn Cemetery.
James Francis Paul Stuart, Sergeant, R/62632, Royal Canadian Air Force. James was the son of Robert Archibald and Hilda Macdonell Stuart, of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. He enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force on 6 July 1940 and was posted to No 21 Operational Training Unit for training on the Vickers Wellington. George was 30 years old when he was killed during the crash of Wellington R1068 at Pennal on 17 August 1941. His remains were buried with full military honours in Tywyn Cemetery.