Lancaster III, Serial JB471

At around 17.00 on 10 April 1944 the tranquillity of the Breconshire countryside was shattered when an Avro Lancaster III, Serial JB471, crashed into farmland at Cefn Gast, between Llanwrtyd Wells and Llangammarch Wells.

The aircraft belonged to a training unit, the Pathfinder Navigation Training Unit, which was based at RAF Warboys and trained crews to a high standard ready to join the elite Pathfinder Squadrons of the Royal Air Force.

Lancaster JB471 appears to have broken up mid-air before crashing out of control and bursting into flames, killing all eight men aboard, in a tragic accident witnessed by two local men stationed in a Royal Observer Corps post at Neuaddau Farm.

There is a memorial situated in St Cadmarch’s, Church, at Llangammarch Wells, to commemorate these eight men, as well as a number of other airmen killed in the area during the war.

The Crew:

John Harold Cleminson-Passey, Sergeant, 2210186, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the illegitimate son of Violet Gertrude Passey, of 35, Regent Road, Widnes. His grandmother, Margaret Maria Passey (nee Jarman), was from Brynmawr. John was fostered by Mr and Mrs Arthur Cleminson, of Widnes. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after qualifying as an Air Gunner was selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. John was 23 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Widnes Cemetery, Lancashire.

William Walter Farmer, Sergeant, 1603478, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. William was the son of William Farmer and Eveline Mary Farmer (nee Harrison), of Dorney, Buckinghamshire. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after qualifying as an Air Gunner was selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. William was 21 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Bath (Haycombe) Cemetery, Somerset.

John Dale Green, Wing Commander, 33253, Royal Air Force. John was the son of Harry Dale Green and Eileen Ellen Green (nee Teardale). He married Doris Valerie Ritchie prior to the war. John enlisted into the Royal Air Force in about 1937 and trained as a Pilot. John was promoted to Squadron Leader on 1 September 1940 and to Wing Commander on 1 March 1942. John was then selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. He was 28 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was cremated in Golders Green Crematorium, Middlesex. His brother, Harry Dale Green, had been killed whilst serving with 224 Coastal Command Squadron, Royal Air Force in 1939.

Henry Johnstone, Sergeant, 1119201, Sergeant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Henry was the son of James and Jeanie Hannah Johnstone, of Eastfield, Lanarkshire. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after qualifying as a Wireless Operator was selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. Henry was 22 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Whitburn Cemetery, East Lothian, Scotland.

Albert Paul Malzan, Warrant Officer II, R/750, Royal Canadian Air Force. Albert was born on 21 February 1914, the son of Fred and Barbara Malzan, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. He married Helen Florence Bavis, of Watertown, New York, on 21 June 1937. He had worked as a civilian clerk with the Royal Canadian Air Force for eight years prior to enlisting into the Royal Canadian Air Force at Ottawa on 11 October 1939. After qualifying as a Navigator, Albert was selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. He was 30 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Bath (Haycombe) Cemetery, Somerset.

Gordon James Bayne Shields, Flight Sergeant, R/164713, Royal Canadian Air Force. Gordon was born on 28 April 1915, the son of James Bayne Shields and Grace Gordon Shields, of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His parents were both Scots, who had emigrated to Canada. Gordon worked as a colour matcher and was a renowned athlete prior to enlisting into the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars at Montreal in June 1940, but in October transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force. He qualified as an Air Bomber prior to embarking for Britain and was selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. Gordon was 28 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Bath (Haycombe) Cemetery, Somerset.

John Lambert Sloper, DFC & Bar, Flight Lieutenant, 147214, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the son of Lewis John Sloper and Ethel May Sloper (nee Lambert), of Bournemouth. He was educated at Hailey School and at Bournemouth College before enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after training as a pilot was commissioned as a Flight Lieutenant in 1943 and posted to the elite 156 Pathfinder Squadron, Royal Air Force. John had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice during his tour with 156 Squadron, the first citation read: ‘By his determination and courage, Pilot Officer Sloper has been responsible for many successful bombing raids. He has consistently displayed great efficiency and has pressed home his attacks in spite of strong enemy fighter and anti-aircraft opposition. This officer is a skilful and resolute captain of aircraft and has set an excellent example to the rest of the squadron.’ The second citation, earning him a Bar to his DFC, read: ‘On every occasion Flight Lieutenant Sloper has proved himself to be an efficient and capable captain of aircraft. His unfailing enthusiasm for operational flying and his willingness to help and advise new members of aircraft crew have made him a valuable asset to his squadron.’ With his experience he was the ideal candidate to join the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys as an instructor. John was 21 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Bath (Haycombe) Cemetery, Somerset.

Stanley Joseph Warrenger, Sergeant, 2220811, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Stanley was born on 22 March 1916, the son of William Frederick Warrenger and Teresa Warrenger (nee Nolan), of 1, Swanage Road, Birmingham. He worked as a sales representative for an ice cream manufacturer prior to the war. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a Flight Engineer before being selected for training with the Pathfinder Navigational Training Unit at RAF Warboys, in Huntingdonshire. Stanley was 28 years old when he was killed during the crash of Lancaster JB471. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Bath (Haycombe) Cemetery, Somerset.