Aircraft Crashes on Cairnsmore
Near the summit of Cairnsmore of Fleet is a memorial stone to those who lost their lives as a result of aircraft crashing into the hill. 7 of the 8 crashes took place during wartime. The stone was lifted into place by a helicopter on 8th August 1980, the 40th anniversary of the first crash.
Here is a summary of the 8 crashes.
The third crash in the above table is noteworthy as there was a survivor. 11-year-old twins Robin and Billy Johnstone from Cullendoch Farm raised the alarm. By the time local doctor Alexander Craig arrived from his house at Roseville in Ann Street, he was very doubtful that Wireless Operator Ted Hurst would survive his injuries, but he did, and he later returned to Gatehouse to thank both the doctor and the Johnstone family for their help.
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There was also a crash near Loch Skerrow in 1944 and one or two in the Fleet estuary.
Jack Henderson, gamekeeper on the Cally Estate was a member of the Royal Observer Corps. and on numerous occasions acted as guide to the RAF rescue team from Stranraer when there was a plane lost in the Fleet Valley or Cairnsmore area.