CANSO 11062 - 162 (RCAF) SQ. HAMNAFIELD HILL, FOULA. 29/7/1944
The Canso had taken off to patrol the waters of the North Atlantic for any U-boats, after around 12 hours and with the weather closing in the Canso set a course for base but Wick having been shut down due to bad visibility the crew were ordered to divert to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, a South Westerly course was set but perhaps due to wind drift they were slightly off course and at too low a height to clear the high ground of Hamnafield on Foula.
At approximately 19.30 hours the aircraft in low cloud struck the hillside around 50 feet from the top and exploded killing all but one, F/Sgt Knight, who was thrown through one of the gun blisters breaking his pelvis and suffering severe burns.
At approximately 19.30 hours the aircraft in low cloud struck the hillside around 50 feet from the top and exploded killing all but one, F/Sgt Knight, who was thrown through one of the gun blisters breaking his pelvis and suffering severe burns.
This cross in memory of the seven Canadian airmen who lost their lives was placed by Steve Smith, a former Foula resident. Photo: Dave Earl.
With one of the P&W radial engines from Canso 11062 on Foula. Photo: Dave Earl.
Local men Davie Gear, Andrew Manson, John Henry and several others rushed up the hill with ammunition exploding in all directions to help and on an improvised stretcher brought Sgt Knight down the hill and as the Island nurse was away,two sisters Babbie Henry and Betty Umphray did what they could to make him comfortable until he could be collected and moved to the hospital in Lerwick. Those that died were buried in Lerwick Cemetery with full military honours.
Crew of the Canso were:
Pilot/Capt. F/O A.R. Hildebrand.
2/Pilot. F/O W.H. Lloyd,
Nav/Bomb. F/O G.G. Bradshaw.
W/AG. WO2 R.D. Harvey.
W/OP. P/O E.C. Watson.
F/Eng: F/S R.W.E. Townsend.
W/OP. F/SJ.E. Bowler.
F/S J.H. Knight (Survivor).
Crew of the Canso were:
Pilot/Capt. F/O A.R. Hildebrand.
2/Pilot. F/O W.H. Lloyd,
Nav/Bomb. F/O G.G. Bradshaw.
W/AG. WO2 R.D. Harvey.
W/OP. P/O E.C. Watson.
F/Eng: F/S R.W.E. Townsend.
W/OP. F/SJ.E. Bowler.
F/S J.H. Knight (Survivor).
Crew of CANSO 11062
Lerwick New Cemetery Photos: Bob Boston (find a grave)
Flying Officer Abram R. Hildebrand
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Flying Officer Willis Hilson Lloyd
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Flying Officer George Gordon Bradshaw
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Warrant Officer Class II Robert Densmore Harvey
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Pilot Officer Elliott Courtney Watson
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Flight Sergeant Robert Wilfred Ernest Townsend
Pilot Officer James Edwin Bowler
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