Memorial stone pays tribute to airmen who died in WW2 Halifax bomber crash

A memorial has been dedicated to the crew of a Halifax bomber who lost their lives when their plane crashed 81 years ago.

The four Canadian and three British airmen were killed when the aircraft, which was not on an operational mission at the time, suffered engine problems over Northallerton.

The memorial is a joint project between the RAF and the local community in the North Yorkshire town.

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Canadian representatives as well as those who remember the day the crash happened attended the dedication.

The idea for the creation of the memorial stone followed a Remembrance Service in Northallerton last year.

The padre at RAF Leeming referred to the 1943 Halifax bomber crash during her service, which resonated with those who attended.

The seven airmen who died in the crash were:

• Pilot - Flying Officer William John Taylor RCAF (J/24309), aged 25, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
• Flight Engineer - Sergeant William John Morgan RAF (1663229), aged 19, of Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales
• Navigator - Flight Sergeant James Murray Beatty RCAF (R/152879), aged 20, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
• Air Bomber - Flying Officer Donald Cameron Walker RCAF (J/25527), aged 27, of Sault Ste.Marie, Ontario, Canada
• Wireless Operator - Sergeant Thomas John Skyrme RAFVR (1400888), aged 21, of Ynysybwl, Wales
• Air Gunner - Sergeant John Owens Winters RAFVR (1796389), aged 19, of Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Air Gunner - Flight Sergeant John Wallace RCAF (R/176389), aged 22, of Lang, Saskatchewan, Canada