Angus RAF veteran’s tribute to tragic Glen Clova aircrew in charity sleep-out

Davy Brown trekked to pitch camp for the Great Tommy Sleep Out at the remote Angus glens site where a Vickers Wellington crashed in 1942.

By Graham Brown

May 6 2024, 5:30pm

Davy Brown's dog, Ness, at the site of the crashed Wellington in the Angus glens. Image: Supplied

An Angus RAF veteran has made a poignant trek to the site of a crashed Second World War bomber to pay his respects in a Legion fundraiser for modern-day comrades.

Davy Brown from Arbroath climbed the hills above Glen Clova to reach the remote landscape where the Vickers Wellington came down in August 1942.

L7845 was on a training flight from RAF Lossiemouth when it suffered engine failure in the skies between Ben Tirran and Muckle Cairn.

RAF veteran David Brown charity sleep out in Angus glens. — Davy Brown and Ness on their way to the bomber site. Image: Supplied

The bomber crashed with the loss of four crew.

But remarkably the plane’s tail gunner survived.

Its skeletal airframe remains an incongruous and tragic monument in the natural splendour of the glen.

And for Gulf War veteran Davy it was a chance to honour personnel from the station where he spent much of his own 24-year RAF career.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is organised by Royal British Legion Industries.

It challenges people to sleep out under the stars to raise money to support thousands of homeless veterans in the UK.

Red Lichtie Spitfire sleep out

Davy, 58, said: “I took part for the the first time last year.

“I was truly privileged to sleep under the wing of the Red Lichtie Spitfire at Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre.

“I’m a keen hillwaker, but although I was aware of the story of L7845 I had never been to the wreck.”

Tail of wrecked Wellington bomber in the Angus glens. — Davy at the tail of the wartime aircraft. Image: Supplied

Angus RAF veteran's sleep out in Glen Clova at site of crashed bomber. — The sun sets in the Angus glens for Davy Brown’s Great Tommy Sleep Out. Image: Supplied

With faithful Samoyed Ness at his side, the pair enjoyed spectacular conditions in the glen.

“It was a wonderful, but very poignant adventure,” he said.

“The weather gave us the glen at its best walking up there.

“And then you encounter this stark reminder of sacrifice,” said offshore installations worker Davy.

Wellington bomber crash site in Angus glens. — Davy Brown at another part of the bomber’s airframe in the Angus hills. Image: Supplied

“Having spent so much of my own RAF career between Lossiemouth and Leuchars it was a humbling thing to sleep in the shadow of the Wellington’s tail.

“I wanted to try to come up with an unusual location again this year.

“Hopefully it might raise awareness of the Great Tommy Sleep Out and the thousands of veterans we have in the UK.

“The sight of the sun setting and then rising in the morning with the reminder of that bomber crew’s bravery all around you will certainly stay with me.”

You can donate to Davy’s Great Tommy Sleep Out fundraiser HERE.