The
Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Group was formed in 1976, its members having been energised by the discovery of the remains of a Wellington bomber nearby. This had crashed on 4th June 1943 while on approach for an emergency landing. Sadly, four of the crew were killed (the pilot Sgt. Leslie Arthur Southam, gunner Sgt. Joseph Charles Kent, wireless operator Sgt. George William Mullis and bomb-aimer Sgt. Harry Parke) and another, Sgt. H. J. Newel, was seriously injured. Although most of the aircraft was removed at the time, the engines had become buried, were excavated and are now on display in the museum, alongside a memorial.
