Lancaster Crash, Greenwood, 1953
Crash Memorial to be Dedicated 13 October 1998 "This marker overlooks the crash site of 404 Squadron Lancaster FM-115. Shortly after takeoff on October 9, 1953, FM-115 impacted on this site with the loss of all on board. Ce monument marque le site d’écrasement du Lancaster FM-115 de la 404ème escadrille. Le 9 Octobre 1953, avec la perte de tous abord. F/O Pegues F/S Klang Cpl Guerin Cpl Carduso LAC Green" So reads the monument to be dedicated as part of the VPI ceremonies on the weekend of the 18th of October 1998. Forty-five years ago one of Lancaster FM-115’s engines burst into flames immediately after takeoff. The pilot, Flying Officer Pegues, maneuvered the aircraft to avoid countless casualties and managed to crash in an open area next to the near complete Wing pool. The aircraft narrowly avoided the old PMQs and the Morfee School (present day Baden-Powell Centre), which was in session at the time. Flying Officer Pegues was credited in the media at the time with averting mass tragedy through his flying skill and heroism, despite his own imminent death. Sadly, all that remained after the fires were extinguished was a 15-foot section of the starboard wingtip, four engines ripped from their mounts and a lump of molten metal. There were no survivors. This incident came to our attention at 404 during the final stages of the Wing skateboard park’s location selection process. Concern was expressed that the location chosen had been the site of a 404 Squadron air crash sometime in the Wing’s past. The question of the crash location became important and was referred to the Squadron’s historian. Searches through Squadron records turned up nothing, so Squadron and Wing histories were reviewed. These recounted the incident, but were vague. A call to the Directorate of Flight Safety and Major Stone referred us to the National Archives for an accident report. Some very helpful researchers located the file for which we were searching and cleared up the mystery. A copy of the Halifax Chronicle-Herald from October 10, 1953 (obtained later) supported the crash location as beside the Wing pool. It was decided that it would be a good idea to remember our fallen comrades by placing this memorial near the site 45 years after the accident. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the memorial will be dedicated in the presence of serving members of 404 during VPI ceremonies on Sunday, the 18th of October, 1998 at 1400 hours. The ceremonies will take place at the site of the VPI memorial by the front gate of the Wing. The memorial will be relocated to its final spot a few days later. Our information on this accident is still somewhat vague and we have been unable to track down any eyewitnesses to the accident. We are also planning to document this story in our display at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum. If you have any information that may assist in building this story or wish information on attending, please contact the 404 Squadron Chief Warrant Officer Pigeon at 765-1494 local 3783 or the museum curator, Bryan Nelson at 765-1494 local 5955. Reprinted here with permission from The Aurora Newspaper. Originally appeared in Volume 19 no. 41, dated October 13, 1998.
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To whom it may concern. I am the sister of Ronald Floyd Green who was killed in this crash. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I heard they dedicated a monument to the 5 men who died that day. I was only 10 years old but remember it like yesterday. Are their any pictures I could get of the monument. any other information?? I have 3 sisters and one brothe r still alive. We often talk of ronnie and miss him to this day. If you could give me any other information about his tragic death, It would be most appreciated.
My brother Ronald Green was killed in this crash. He was 19 years old.
There is a memorial stone at the Greenwood base:
http://gmam.ca/images/Lancaster%20Crash.JPG
This page of the Greenwood Aviation Museum has pictures of the Memorial Garden where the stone exists:
http://gmam.ca/garden.htm
I am the brother of Ronald Green who was on the airplane that went down on October 9, 1953. I think it was a great idea that there was a monument put in place where the accident happened, but I was dissapointed that no family member was notified of this. If there is any pictures of this monument could you please pass it on to me. If so it could be sent to: LEROY GREEN at 5794 Kathleen Drive Chilliwack B.C. V2R 3G2 Thank you Leroy Green
I was stationed at greenwood on #405 lancaster squadron eighteen years old at the time. There were a lot of us in the mess hall at the time of the tradgedy. The plane was in trouble as soon as it took off as we could hear the roar of the engines as the pilot was trying to increase his airspeed and gain altitude to avoid hitting the base buildings. Most of us rushed outside just in time to see the bomber crash almost straight into the ground. To us it looked like it went in to the middle of the P.M.Q. houses with flames shooting up from the fuel tanks which were full for a test flight that was scheduled that morning. There was a lot of confusion as we ran towards the crash site, some airmen grabbed fire extinquishers from where ever and four of us ended up pulling one of the old hand drawn steel wheeled fire hose carts that were in various locations around the base. The site itself was unbelievable, the planes were large and had four huge V 12 engines , debris was spread but contained to the impact site. We were ordered to circle out and look for any of the aircrew who might have been thrown out of the plane. As we all found out real quick there wasn’t to be any survivors. The pilot had nosed the plane into the only clearing in a residence area, truly remarkable. Some of the fellows said they saw the inner starboard engine on fire as the plane left the end of the runway. The mood on the base had been very somber after the crash, the planes had all seen wartime service and were getting old and tired, we didn’t feel confident about the Lancs anymore, some men were reluctant to fly, but of course had to follow orders. The base commander , about 3 weeks later, ordered a full dress parade on the runway. all able bodied were to attend. We were all standing at ease getting a pep talk from the brass which even included one from Ottawa with lots of scrambled eggs on his cap. We became aware of a noise in the distance and out of the blue appeared a Lancaster Bomber flying at a very low speed and an awkward flight angle, this was because he was flying with only one engine, which the plane was capable of doing for a short distance. Needless to say there was a hearty cheer from all of us and our pride and faith were more profound then before the loss of our fellow airmen.
I have worked at The Aurora Newspaper for over six years. If there is anyone interested in getting photos of the monument please email me and I will forward them on to you. The monument is in a great location on a hill overlooking the Headquarters building at 14 Wing Greenwood. Motorists enroute to the base will pass the monument just to the left before entering the main gate onto DND property.There are other monuments, statues, and beautifully landscaped, with a fountain and pond, paths and steps to take you from one level to an other. The monument is overlooking our Greenwood Military Aviation Museum. In the summer the place looks spectacular. My grandfather was a veteran of World War I; he fought at Vimy Ridge. I am proud of our Canadian Military and feel priviledged to work with amazing people on the base.
I have stumbled upon this information regarding airman that paid the ultimate price while performing their duties. My (birth) father was a Lanc F/O and apparently lost his life in the latter third of 1952 or first third of 1953 flying out of Greenwood. My birth-mother, Dorothy Carroll, found herself with child and no prospects for marriage, thus went to Cape Breton to birth her child. She later returned to the Annaplois Valley and married Greenwood pilot, George Wachter. Lived in Kentville. Marriage records in Presbyterian Church, Kentville.
As you can imagine I would like to learn the name of my birth father, as well as his nationality. My birthday is April 13, 1953. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. gb
If there are any photos of the monument I would appreciate getting some. The pilot was my husbands father and my husband was 18 months old and his older brother was 3 when the crash occured. thank you
My Dad, S/L E.J. Smith was O/C 405 Squadron at time of accident. I Remember F/O Pegues who lived temporarly in Margretsville in a cottage just across a field from us. I do remember seeing Mr. & Mrs. with baby in arms on several occasions. At time of accident we were living in PMQ’s and I remember explosion as I was in school at the time. A truly sad day for Greenwood. My Dad was in charge of the accident report and I recall him mentioning that reason for engine failure was lack of pal nuts on the camshaft bearing journals. The main nuts came loose caused cam failure and subsequent engine fire & failure.