Just retnd from my first trip to France of the year 🙂 to find the first reply to the three permit applications – REFUSED! 😡 – It is a site that has already been excavated, but we have found a significant contact that has been overlooked where one of the engines (stbd) impacted.

I applied in January & it has taken four months for Innsworth simply state that althought the majority of the pilots remians were recovered at the time they have found evidence to suggest that some may still be present – He has a known grave and I am sure any family members still around will not take kindly to such an admission!

The impact was at a shallow angle on high ground – the aircraft was scattered over a wide area – along with the unfortunate pilot and only the engines penetrated the ground and then only to a few feet – so the chance of any such remains being present is IMO very very slim – But that is not the point – the pilot was to all intents and purposes recovered at the time – this was post war, so no hurried wartime recovery here – looks like Innsworth have finally come up with a reason to refuse permits wholsale? as this criteria would obviously apply to just about any site where any of the crew were killed in the crash? 🙁

Before we get on to the rights and wrongs of recovering crashed remains, I would like to point out that my Grandfather is missing in action (at sea, 1940) so I do have a personal insight into the issues involved + I am regularly in contact with relatives associated with the sites we excavate and this has always resulted in positive correspondance.

I feel this could have major implications for our hobby and I would be very interested to hear how other applications have faired.

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Discussing recent media interest in excavations with a pal who works for Scottish Heritage, he let slip his colleagues in English Heritage are putting pressure on the MoD to impose further restrictions on excavations by designating crash sites as being of historical value. Apparently, there have already been meetings between the Air Historical Branch and EH on this topic. Cannot confirm this, but sounds plausible.

Andrew-O.

Have you or your friend tried writing to the Disclosures Section of the RAF at RAF Personnel Management Agency, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester and asking for a copy of John Murrie’s service record. (Nb: I believe they will only release it to, or with the consent of his NOK) This may contain details of Sqn’s he served on.

Alternatively if John Murrie was reported as being a casualty in the crash, or you know the Aircraft tail number, date of loss, or names of any crew members killed in the crash you could try contacting the Air Historical Branch at RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore, Middx. For details of aircraft and what happened to it.

Hope this helps

UM