WC R D Speare DSO DFC Croix de Guerre

Memorial
Title

Images

Locations

Last known location:
The Cloughs
(moorland hillside)
Pennine Way
Edale Head
Kinder Scout
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
S33 7ZJ

NGR:
SK 08903 86696 ±5m

Location details:
About 2km northwest of Upper Booth in the Hope Valley. In remote inhospitable moorland on the southwestern flank of Kinder Plateau, between Jacob's Ladder and Pym Chair, about 200m south of the un-named footpath between Noe Stool, Pym Chair and Crowdon Tower.

Type

Overall type: Cross.

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible.

Description:

A stainless steel cross with an incised inscription in upright capital block lettering. The memorial is adjacent to debris from the aircraft.

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Cross	Stainless steel	430	260	5	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

IN
REMEMBRANCE
OF
WING COMMANDER
DICKIE SPEARE
ONE
SIX
FIVE
ONE
HCU

Conflicts and people commemorated
Conflict	Second World War (1939-1945}
Number died	1
Number served and returned	0
Total names	1

Administration

Custodians:
The land is owned and managed by the National Trust but it is believed that the memorial was provided and installed by private individuals.

Local Authorities:
After WW2: Edale Parish Council, Chapel en le Frith Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
Since 1974: Edale Parish Council, High Peak Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History

17th April, 1951: The memorial lies in the Peak District National Park designated on that date.

2nd August, 2012: The memorial was recorded by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition although some oxidisation had occured around the welds..

References

The Peak District Air Accident Research, web page carries description and photographs.

Comments

WC Richard Douglas Speare had been attached to 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit but was flying an Avro Anson Mk XI NL185 from Halton HQ Flight, RAF Bomber Command.