A police investigation into human remains discovered on a North Yorkshire farm has been brought to a close after nearly two years.
We reported in April 2020 that human bones had been discovered at a remote location near Chop Gate, in the Hambleton district.
A man from the York area, now aged 74, was arrested and questioned.
Today, police said the human remains had been identified and the arrested man released without charge.
The “exceptionally challenging” joint investigation by North Yorkshire Police and the Ministry of Defence Police was launched when the remains were found on 31 March 2020. Military memorabilia was also discovered.
The major operation involving RAF and the Army experts, as well as forensic archaeologists who were able to identify the remains as male and more than half-a-century old.
Remarkably, the team went on to identify that the remains belonged to two Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve air crew from the Second World War.
They were Pilot Officer Alfred Robert William Milne, from Mitcham, Surrey, and Warrant Officer Eric Alan Stubbs, from Guildford, Surrey.
They were killed when their Mosquito aircraft crashed on the North York Moors near Bransdale, Helmsley, on 11 October 1944.
PO Milne and WO Stubbs were on a training exercise from RAF Beccles in Suffolk to RAF Turnberry in Ayrshire when it happened. They were both 22.
Suspected offences
Following the investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now determined that there is not enough evidence to pursue suspected offences.
North Yorkshire Police Detective Inspector Carol Kirk, said: “At the beginning of this investigation, I don’t think any of us thought we’d be able to identify who the remains belonged to let alone return them to their families and be given military burials with the dignity and respect that they deserved.
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“Even without being able to progress the investigation to court, we still believe this is a significant achievement. “I have recently had contact with both families and they wish to pass on their thanks to all those involved in bringing Alfred and Eric home.”
She thanked her colleagues from the police and military who took part in “this highly complex and challenging operation”.
“The commitment, diligence and professionalism from everyone involved has been outstanding.
“I also thank our local authority and community partners for their unstinting support throughout, and to the local residents whose daily lives were disrupted for many weeks while this activity was ongoing at the location.”