All four men were killed, including Royal Canadian Air Force Flight Sergeant and observer Gordon Duncan, as well as Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve wireless air gunners Sergeant John Harker and Sergeant Ronald Hodgson.
A Flying Accident Report stated ‘a possible cause of the crash was bad weather conditions with the pilot flying at low altitude in hilly conditions’.
Eighty-four years later, Wales military enthusiast Adrian Hollis has undertaken the Mid Wales Memorial Project, which will mark a series of memorials of aircraft crash sites – the first to be the Lockheed Hudson V9127.
After a year of research, trying to contact family members of the four dead men – including contacting The Weekly Advertiser to cover the story in attempt to find Mr Anderson’s relatives – fundraising for the memorial and seeking appropriate permissions, the memorial was unveiled on May 17.
“This memorial is dedicated to the crew of Lockheed Hudson V9127,” Mr Hollis said.
“As it came back inland, over Aberystwyth, it flew up the Rheidol valley, where the weather got worse. Some reports say it was struck by lightning.
“The aircraft crashed on the farm, opposite the entrance to Bwlch Nant Yr Arian. Following the crash, Harker and Hodgson were returned home to Yorkshire, however Anderson and Duncan were laid to rest in Plascrug cemetery, Aberystwyth.”
Mr Hollis said he had managed to track down the families of three of the four men.
“Gordon Duncan has no surviving family, however I have spoken with the family of Anderson in Australia – with thanks to The Weekly Advertiser story – as well as the daughters of Harker and Hodgson,” he said.
Relatives of Mr Anderson, the son of David and Florence Anderson of Wilson Street, Horsham, was survived by siblings Robert, Marion, who later married David Walter, and John.
Brenda Samuels, daughter of Marion, spoke to The Weekly Advertiser in July last year about the impact the death of Mr Anderson had on their family and the relatives’ reaction to the plans for the memorial.
The service and memorial unveiling attracted a sizeable turn-out, with 561 Squadron air cadets, air officer for Wales Air Commodore Rob Woods, Member of Parliament Ben Lake, and many others in attendance.
“Most incredibly, we were joined by Janet Stockdale, the daughter of Sergeant John Harker. She was less than a year old at the time of the crash. It was an honour to have her attend and unveil the memorial,” Mr Hollis said.
Following the memorial service, refreshments and information about the aircraft, the men who died, a propeller blade that was recovered from the crash site, and the Mid Wales Memorial Project were on display.
“We then went down to Plascrug cemetery, for a short service at the graveside of F/O David Anderson and Flight Sergeant Gordon Duncan,” he said.
Mr Hollis said people can follow the progress on the Mid Wales Memorial Project on its Facebook page or email him at midwalesmemorialproject@gmail.com.
The entire May 27, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire May 27, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
