Vickers Wellington, Donegal, April, 1941

Good Friday, April 11th, 1941, would witness the tragic crash of a Royal Air Force anti submarine patrol aircraft on a rain soaked Donegal hill side.

This daytime operation had taken off at 05.55 on the morning of the 11th April  and the crash happened at around 15.15 approximately that afternoon.  The telegrams in the AIR81 file confirm that the aircraft was carrying 3 x 450 Lbs depth charges.

When 221 Sqn went "operational" at Limavady in late March/early April 1941 it was with the Mark VIII Wellington which differed from the standard Mark I in a number of ways and most obviously, by the fitting of Mk 11 ASV AI (radar) as well as additional fuel tanks in the bomb bay to increase range for their designated job of hunting German U-Boats in the Western Approaches.

B Flight 221 Sqn started operations from Limavady in early April 1941 and during this time the code letter D was allotted to Wellington W5674 but not W5753. Tim had a Vickers Armstrong photograph to prove it showing W5674 in standard Bomber Command Camouflage in April 1941 sporting DF-D. There is also a later shot of W5674 when 221 were based in Iceland, this time in the new "Coastal" camouflage (grey over white) showing the code letter O (DF-O).
 
The Operational Record Book for 221 Sqn did not reveal which letter W5653 carried but within the AIR81 file for the crash it was revealed to be the letter Q.

One is that the crew mistook Swilly for Foyle, there is no proof of this because the whole of the West coast was enveloped in low cloud and fog and it is unlikely that the crew could seen ANY ground. They had already passed over Limavady at ETA 14.32 after a long nine hour anti submarine patrol but could see nothing and radioed that they were going to try a second approach.

The following report was sent on 21st April from the O/C Coastal Artillery, in Western Command.

British Wellington Bomber Crash - 11th April, 1941.

With reference to our phone conversation today I wish to submit the following report in reference to the above.

On Good Friday, 11th inst., accompanied by Superintendent Garda, Buncrana, and Captain R. Cooney, Fort Dunree, I paid my usual visit to Fort Lenan at about 16.00 hours when Captain Joseph Murray, 0/C., Fort Lenan, informed me that he was of opinion that an aeroplane had crashed at about 15.30 hours, on the Urris Hills which is about three miles from Fort Lenan.  Captain Murray further stated that he had sent out a party to make a search of the hills.  At about 19.00 hours I received a phone message from Lieutenant Gallanagh, Orderly Officer, Fort Dunree, to the effect that Sergeant Kemmy, Fort Lenan Detachment had reported to Dunree and Kemmy stated that he located the crashed plane on the Urris hills.  I instructed the Orderly officer Fort Dunree, to keep Sergeant Kemmy there until I returned and I reached Fort Dunree at about 19.45 hours. Sergeant Kemmy told me that his party located the plane which was burning
and could not be approached.

Sergrant Kemmy reported that four dead bodies were on the mountain side widely scattered.  Lieut. KcGinley then handed me a cheque book (which he had received from Kemmy) marked Lloyds Bank and a Driver's License bearing the name John William Hobson Bateman. . When questioned Kemmy stated that he found these articles on the ground near the plane. The conditions at this time were "shocking" and I decided to withdraw the Lenan Party and leave no Guard on the wreck as it was positively dangerous, and besides the guard could not be supplied with any meal during the night.  I detailed a party in charge of C/Sgt. Kiely to accompany Sgt. Kemmy to the scene of the crash so that they would be familiar with the route. C/Sgt. Kiely, Sgt. Kemmy and party detailed returned to Dunree at midnight on the 11th inst. and stated that they could not locate the plane due to the conditions obtaining. I then instructed Lieuts. Gallanagh and McGinley to go to the scene at 06.00 hours. on the 12th inst. and collect any books, papers or maps that might be strewn about and bring them back to me. The Superintendent, Garda Siochana was present when I issued these orders and he (the Supt.) stated that the bodies were not to be interfered with until his arrival.
At about 21.30 hours three Officers representing the R.A.F. from Limavady, arrived at the main gate Fort Dunree, and requested an interview with me. The senior Officer introduced himself as Captain Keane (or Caine) and he introduced the remaining two as Pilot Officers from Limadady.  Having satisfied myself that they were genuine I took all the party to the Mess and entertained them and also agreed to facilitate them in every way.

They asked me about the crash and I gave them all the information I had in my possession and also produced the Lloyds Cheque Book and Driver's License as received from Sgt. Kemmy.  The senior Officer (Captain Keane) then remarked to a tall, fair headed pilot "you will need these" and then asked me if I had any objection to him retaining the articles mentioned.   I replied "certainly not."  He retained the cheque book and handed me back the Driver's License so as to assist in identification if required.   This cheque book was handed over in the presence of Captain Cooney. Lieuts. McGinley and Gallanagh, Supt. Garda, Buncrana and our Chaplain, (Father Dolan) . 
The party proceeded to the scene at 06.0 hours in the morning of the 12th inst. and conditions were as bad as on the 11th, April, 1941. The reports submitted by
Lieuts. Gallanagh and McGinley give details of what occurred subsequently.
I hope this report gives all the information you require. 
If you require any further data I shall only be too pleased to facilitate you in every way.

(D.J. Farrell)  A/commandant.
Officer Commanding coast Defences, W/command.

On the day after the crash 221 Squadron filed the following report with the Officer Commanding RAF Limavady.



1. Wellington W.5653 (aircraft letter '0'), F/O. Cattley and crew, was ordered to carry out an A/S patrol from Limavady on the 11th April,. 1941. They took off at 0555 hours and were due to return at 1455 hours.

2. At 1440 hours I went to the Regional Control Office to see what method of approach the pilot was intending to use, i.e. S.I. beacon or descent through cloud using his 'Q' code, as the cloud base was then 1000 - 1200 ft. over the aerodrome and. 8/900 ft. on the hills.

3. The pilot was using the Regional Control procedure the details of which are shown in the R.C.O's report attached.

4. I had full confidence in the pilots ability to carry out this procedure as he had been carefully instructed in the 'Q' code procedure by the R.C.O. on the ground, and had completed a successful air practice.  He had also on the 10th April made a descent through cloud using the S.I. beacon.

5.  At this time the aircraft had at least 3 hours petrol left and no anxiety was felt for its safety.

6. After 1500 hours nothing was heard from the aircraft until a message was received that a British aircraft, type unknown, had crashed near Fort Dunree (55 12N 07 34W) in Eire.

7.  With the Station Commander's permission I sent two Officers in civilian clothes to this position to identify the aircraft, and if possible, the crew. Their report is attached.

8.  The R.C.O. carried out the normal overdue aircraft procedure.

F/O Alfred Patrick CATTLEY 40888 +
The skipper joined the RAF in 1937 on a Short Service Commission and was posted to 608 Sqn based at Thornaby and in December 1940 was posted to the then forming 221 Sqn at Bircham Newton. His NCO crew members spent the best part of 12 months training before going on Ops. This crew was the second in the Sqn to be lost but the first whilst operating from Limavady. At the time of his death, the pilot had 902 hours operational flying time.

P/O James Leonard MONTAGUE 81359 +
James was born in the summer of 1913 in Chalport, Buckinghamshire to

Sgt John William Hobson BATEMAN 959540 +

The Lincolnshire Echo published the following death notice on the 19th of April 1941.

Mr. and Mrs. Hobson Bateman, of Limehurst, Sutton Bridge, have been notified of the death of their second son, Sergeant Jack Bateman, R.A.F.V.R., who has been killed on active service. Sergeant Bateman, who was 28, joined the R.A.F. a year ago, and was an observer. He had taken part in many raids over enemy territory. 
Before joining up he was a bulbgrower and nurseryman at Sutton Bridge.
Sergeant Bateman took a great interest in sport and played for the Sutton Bridge Cricket Club. He was unmarried.

An Altar and Reredos is dedicated in memory of Hobson Bateman, died 1942, Amelia Elizabeth, his wife who died in 1956 and their son Jack Bateman.  It was erected by James R Bateman and Roy (Raymond) Bateman, surviving brothers of Jack in 1957 after their mothers death.  Jack's father, Hobson, died one year after his son, almost to the day in April 1942.

Sgt Bateman's remains were returned to his parents and buried in Saint Matthews Churchyard, Sutton Bridge.

Sgt Francis Kenneth Basil WHALLEY 977309 +
Francis was the son of Charles Harold and Agnes Blanche Whalley, of Leamington Spa.

The Coventry Evening Telegraph published a short funeral notice on April 19th:
The funeral took place at Leamington Cemetery yesterday cf Sergeant Air Gunner Francis Kenneth Basil Whalley, of the R.A.F., 19-years-old son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Whalley of 18. Victoria Terrace, Leamington.  Sergeant Whalley was killed on active service.

Sgt Frederick George NEILL 976110 +

Sgt Brinley Francis BADMAN 976192 +
Son of Gertrude and James  Badman, Brinley was born in 1919 in Abersychan, Wales.

The South Wales Argus published his death notice on the 21st of April 1941 with the same small image as shown on this page.


DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE
Sergeant Brinley Francis Badman, R.A.F. son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Badman, 21. Cross-row, Varteg.  Intimation has been received that he died while on active service against the enemy.
An earlier message indicated that he was "missing, believed killed."'
Sergeant Badman was an old boy of West Monmouth School.
Before he joined the R.A.F he was a colliery weighman.  He was 21 last May, and for many years was closely identified with Varteg Wesleyan Methodist Church He was Secretary of the Young  People's Guild, a member of the Church choir, and an assistant organist of the Church. In the R.A.F. he was acting wireless operator and air gunner, and had operated over German territory.
He was home on leave three weeks ago.
A brother, Cliff Badman, formerly of West Monmouth School, is now at Exeter University.

Over the years, many efforts were made to memorial the crash site.

A memorial ceremony was held near the crash site in 2019 ?, with a gathering of up to 250 people.  A cross made from some of the aircraft metal was made into a cross and placed at the crash site.

As of 2019 at least there is was one cross made from tubular parts of the aircraft and at its base a plaque containing the mens names.   Another cross is made possibly from wood and bearing a smaller metal plate.  These are set among a collection of parts remaining from W5653, including one landing gear leg and an engine cowling exhaust ring.

The following website provides a digital path to the crash site and local mountain area.

Compiled by Dennis Burke, 2025.