Tragedy struck on March 21, 1974, when their helicopter crashed near Beagle Point on the Lizard Peninsula, not far from the squadron’s base at RNAS Culdrose.
All the team of XV702, who had actually been on a training flight, lost their lives in the crash.
Chief Petty Officer Dave Toseland said “Personally, it was an important and gratifying afternoon. While we existed, we put 4 crosses with connected poppies and attempted cleaning up the plaque.
“All members of the team that visited the site were very professional in their behaviour and attitude and grateful to be given the opportunity to carry out this visit.”
One of the squadron’s Merlin helicopters likewise flew over the website as it returned from a training sortie.
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The memorial keeps in mind the catastrophe in 1974 when a Culdrose Sea King helicopter crashed simply feet from the top of the cliff and burst into flames. All 4 team from 824 Naval Air Squadron were killed.
They were pilot Captain Kenneth McDonald, 25 and on exchange from the Canadian Navy, Sub-Lieutenant Robert Johnson, 24 and from Edinburgh, Sub-Lieutenant Edward Wild, 22 from London, and Leading Seaman Brian Sharpe, 27 from Peterborough.
Newspaper reports from the time explain how Sub-Lt Wild was buried with complete marine honours and a guard of honour at St Michael’s Church in Helston.
