TWO tragic air crashes - one Dorset's worst ever - which happened years apart at the same Purbeck location, are to be commemorated.

A group of ex-RAF men, members of the Aircrew Association at Wool, has raised funds for a Purbeck stone memorial seat at the site on a hill above Encombe. They will be dedicating the seat at a service on Thursday.

Many families of the victims - including some from Canada, South Africa and France, as well as across the UK - are expected to attend to pay tribute to those who died.

Dorset's worst ever air crash disaster happened on June 15, 1945, when five crew, four who were members of the Canadian airforce, and 22 passengers lost their lives.

The RAF Liberator MkIX of No.232 Squadron RAF Transport Command crashed on the spot while en route from a New Forest airfield to Palam, India.

The passengers were airmen being sent out as urgently needed groundcrew at Palam. But the plane never made it.

It impacted on the edge of what is now the Dorset Coastal Path, the wings were ripped off and the engines detached and thrown forward towards Orchard Hill Farm. There were no survivors.

The crash was not the only fatal aircraft accident on that hill.

On the afternoon of Friday, March 18, 1938, a student on the torpedo course at the Torpedo Training Unit at RAF Gosport and two passengers took off in a Mk1 Swordfish K5985 on a training cross-country flight to Roborough, near Plymouth.

He is thought to have passed low over Orchard Hill Farm, clipped the top of the trees in Polar Wood - leaving sections of the aircraft in the tree tops - and nose-dived into the steep hillside some 300 yards away.

Those who died in both crashes will be remembered at Thursday's service, which will be attended by representatives of the RAF, the Canadian High Commission and Gordon Page, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.

Colin Pomeroy, Squadron Leader RAF (Ret'd), who is the de facto chairman of the project team, said: "The seat will serve a two-fold purpose.

"It will remind us of those who gave their lives in the service of the country and will also provide somewhere for those walking the Dorset coastal footpath as it passes by to pause a while and enjoy the beautiful scenery and perhaps reflect on why the seat is there," added Mr Pomeroy, who served in the RAF from 1960 to 1980.

For more information contact Mr Pomeroy on 01305 848895.