Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Nicholas Holt: Remembering the fallen

3 minutes

Broomhead Moor. Due to the saturated and boggy ground, the wreckage of the Hawker Hunter T Mk 7 Wallace Cubitt which was was flying to Blackpool in June 1993, became buried deep in the earth after the aircraft had apparently hit the ground in a steep dive
Broomhead Moor. Due to the saturated and boggy ground, the wreckage of the Hawker Hunter T Mk 7 Wallace Cubitt which was was flying to Blackpool in June 1993, became buried deep in the earth after the aircraft had apparently hit the ground in a steep dive 

Photographer Nicholas Holt captures tragedy and remembrance as he documents fallen RAF sites for his project Fallen

The bleak moorlands and eerie forests of Dark Peak in Derbyshire host some 50 or so crash sites of Royal Air Force and other planes. Behind each collection of scattered wreckage lies a human story of tragedy – and the odd lucky escape – of aircrews returning from missions or on training flights. Even the most remote sites are commemorated in some way – a wooden cross, a poppy wired to a wing, a plaque, a flag. Peak District-based photographer Nicholas Holt has documented many of these sites for his project Fallen.

Higher Shelf Stones. In 1948, a US Air Force Boeing RB-29A, once used to photograph nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll, crashed during a routine daytime flight to the US Air Force base in Warrington. It’s believed that the pilots thought they’d passed the hills of Bleaklow, but due to low-cloud cover, their visibilty was obscured and the aircraft crashed a little over 600 metres above sea level
Higher Shelf Stones. In 1948, a US Air Force Boeing RB-29A, once used to photograph nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll, crashed during a routine daytime flight to the US Air Force base in Warrington. It’s believed that the pilots thought they’d passed the hills of Bleaklow, but due to low-cloud cover, their visibilty was obscured and the aircraft crashed a little over 600 metres above sea level
Sykes Moor. A memorial placed in 1991 marks the site where Pilot Officer Stanley Robinson and Acting Pilot Officer Jack Thomas lost their lives in January 1939 during a local flying exercise. The wreckage was discovered by a member of a local walking club two weeks
Sykes Moor. A memorial placed in 1991 marks the site where Pilot Officer Stanley Robinson and Acting Pilot Officer Jack Thomas lost their lives in January 1939 during a local flying exercise. The wreckage was discovered by a member of a local walking club two weeks after the accident 
Ashop Moor. In July 1954, two F-86 Sabre aircraft crashed while flying in dense cloud. It’s thought that at least one of the aircraft hit the corner of a plateau and then both jets tumbled out of control, down from the plateau edge and onto the moor below
Ashop Moor. In July 1954, two F-86 Sabre aircraft crashed while flying in dense cloud. It’s thought that at least one of the aircraft hit the corner of a plateau and then both jets tumbled out of control, down from the plateau edge and onto the moor below
Cluther Rocks. Flying in high winds and blinding snow in January 1942, the crew of AE381 overflew the airfield on which they were meant to land during a training flight. As the pilot attempted to make a 180° turn, the aircraft flew into the western edge of Kinder Scout
Cluther Rocks. Flying in high winds and blinding snow in January 1942, the crew of AE381 overflew the airfield on which they were meant to land during a training flight. As the pilot attempted to make a 180° turn, the aircraft flew into the western edge of Kinder Scout
Hagg Side. In December 1950, Sergeant H Joseph Harrington ejected from his Meteor aircraft after finding himself in low cloud, with a broken radio and little in the way of fuel. He survived
Hagg Side. In December 1950, Sergeant H Joseph Harrington ejected from his Meteor aircraft after finding himself in low cloud, with a broken radio and little in the way of fuel. He survived