The event marked the unveiling of a newly erected standing stone and brass plaque, dedicated to the memory of Sub Lieutenants William Seddon Appleby, Ernest Hartley Green, and Joe Lupton of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. The three men were all members of 848 Naval Air Squadron and died on 3rd February 1944 when their aircraft, a Grumman Avenger FN 821, crashed in poor weather while enroute from Gosport to Kirkwall.
The Memorial
The memorial project was led by Tilhill Forest Manager, Jay Williams, with support from Gresham House. The stone and plaque stand as a permanent reminder of the courage and sacrifice of these men, ensuring their story is not lost to time.
The inscription reads:
This stone was erected in 2025 in remembrance of Sub Lieutenants William Seddon Appleby, RNZNVR, aged 24, from Gisborne, New Zealand; Ernest Hartley Green, RNVR, aged 22, from Sheringham, Norfolk; and Joe Lupton, RNVR, aged 21, from Morley, West Yorkshire. All of 848 Naval Air Squadron, who lost their lives on 3 February 1944 when their aircraft, Grumman Avenger FN 821, crashed in poor weather on this hillside whilst on a transit flight from Gosport to Kirkwall.
The Unveiling Ceremony
The memorial was unveiled in front of a crowd of around 60 people, including local residents, the Royal Navy, Royal Airforce and representatives from Tilhill Forestry and Gresham House. Attendees from Tilhill included David Edwards and foresters from our Bala office, while Gresham House was represented by Edward Latter, Tom Astor, and Richard Vestey.
The event was marked by a fitting tribute from the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, who conducted a planned flypast despite the poor weather on the day. The ceremony provided an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude, with the surrounding woodland offering a peaceful setting for this historic moment.
The event was concluded with refreshments in the village hall where all attendees had the chance to study the history of the wartime tragedy and socialise on a more informal basis.
The event received strong coverage in the local media, including the Oswestry & Border Counties Advertizer and North Wales Live, alongside features by ITV Wales and BBC Radio Wales.
Preserving History in Our Forests
Tilhill Forestry is proud to have supported the memorial and to have played a part in ensuring these young men are remembered. As foresters, we believe woodlands are not just landscapes of natural beauty and sustainability but also places that hold deep cultural and historical significance.
This memorial stands as a poignant reminder of the connections between people, place, and memory, reinforcing our commitment to stewardship of both the environment and the stories rooted within it.
