Crew of Lancaster Bomber, HK773, 15 Sqn. RAF

Lancaster HK773 Memorial - Taken by Nick2 30 Dec 2014

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Lancaster HK773 Memorial - Taken by Nick2 30 Dec 2014

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Lancaster HK773 Memorial - Taken by Nick2 30 Dec 2014

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Lancaster HK773 Memorial and crater - Taken by Nick2 30 Dec 2014

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The new plinth which has been installed by a volunteer group from Mundford village. The replacement was due to the ravages of time taking its toll on the original. This had been tended by the volunteers, but was sadly becoming rather tattered. The Forestr - Taken by Kevin Grace 16 Mar 2020

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Another view of the new plinth - Taken by Kevin Grace 19 Mar 2020

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A closer view, showing some of the plane pieces which still come to light around the forest site. - Taken by Kevin Grace 19 Mar 2020

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A better map for those wishing to visit the site, courtesy of Google Earth images - Taken by Geoff Reynolds, Secretary, The Mildenhall Register 19 Mar 2020

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Reference WMO/193683

Address:

Ride 46

Thetford Forest

2 miles SSW of Mundford

Map Ref: TL793916

Mundford

England

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War Memorials Trust case: War Memorials Trust needs to avoid Contributors changing location/description details as we help to protect and conserve this war memorial through our casework. You can still add photographs, update condition and use the tabs below. If you believe any of the information you cannot edit is wrong or information is missing, please make a note of the reference number and include it in your email when you contact us.

Status: On original site

Type: Non freestanding

Location: External

Setting: Outside - hilltop/field/countryside

Description: Board/Plaque/ Tablet

Materials:

Stone Stone (any)

Lettering: Inscribed on a plaque

Conflicts:

Second World War (1939-1945)

About the memorial: Within the forest, on the south side of ride No. 46, on the northern edge of a huge crater, a small rectangular patch of gravel, within a wood border. Mounted with a wooden memorial board commemorating the crew of Lancaster, HK773, of 15 Squadron, RAF, which crashed at 11.00 am on 22 March, 1945, shortly after taking off from nearby RAF Mildenhall. The aircraft developed a fire in the port outer engine, due to which the pilot attempted a crash landing. The 4,000 lb Blockbuster bomb on board exploded on impact, creating the huge crater, and killing all of the 7 crew instantly.This memorial was erected in 1999, following an investigation of the site in 1998. Pieces of the wreckage are placed within the wooden boundary of the memorial. In 2020 a small rectangular patch of concrete has been laid containing the original plaque and names. A new small memorial garden within this containing eight crosses, with a Lancaster image alongside the RAF roundel with Australian and UK flag images above. All in the shadow of a large granite stone surrounded by parts of the Lancaster which are still being found around the forest today. This recently installed commemorative memorial was placed on the original site with the cooperation of the Forestry Commission in 2020 by the same volunteers who have looked after the site regularly. The previous one was deteriorating badly since it's installation in 1999, following the investigation into the site in 1998. Commemorating the crew of Lancaster, HK773, of XV Squadron, RAF, which crashed at 11.00 am on 22 March, 1945, shortly after taking off from nearby RAF Mildenhall. The aircraft developed a fire in the port outer engine, due to which the pilot attempted a crash landing. The 4,000 lb Blockbuster bomb on board exploded on impact, creating the huge crater, and killing all of the 7 crew instantly. A rededication ceremony on 19th March 2020 had to be cancelled due to the COVID19 epidemic.

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Condition Level:

Comments:

The memorial is regularly visited by walking groups and the deterioration in the support post has been monitored regularly. As secretary of The Mildenhall Register and relative of Sgt RG (Geoff) Norris also remembered on this plaque, I make an annual sojourn here too. 
The wooden post supporting this memorial plaque has deteriorated over the years it has stood here.
Volunteers from Mundford are arranging a new support, of granite, to be installed on the 75th Anniversary of this aircraft and crews loss.
Further details about the ceremony will appear on The Mildenhall Register website and Facebook pages as the arrangements become firmed up.
I'll also keep this page updated from time to time and provide photographs after the event.

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Comments:

Frederick John Newton, Warrant Officer (Pilot Officer in CWGC), 436058, RAAF, aged 24.  Pilot.  Son of Frederick Thomas and Mary Emma Newton; husband of Millicent Newton, od Osborne Park, Western Australia.  Buried  in grave 15563, Cambridge City Cemetery.The remainder are buried collectively in graves 15564-9.
Cecil Arthur Jeffrey Church, Sergeant, 1801646, RAFVR.  Navigator.
George Arthur Cope, Sergeant, 1893709, RAFVR, aged 21.  Wireless Operator.  Son of Arthur Thomas and Ivy Gladys Cope, of Dagenham, Essex.
Martin Frederick Matthews, Sergeant, 1602168, RAFVR, aged 22.  Bomb Aimer.  Son of Henry James and Agnes Lucy Matthews, of Shanklin, Isle of Wight.
Peter Cooley, Sergeant, 1604557, RAFVR, aged 20.  Air Gunner (Mid-Upper).  Son of Cecil Battiscombe and Beryl Freda Cooley, of Wimbledon, Surrey.
Thomas Edward Jenkins, Sergeant, 2219122, RAFVR, aged 36.  Air Gunner (Tail).  Son of Thomas and Emma Jenkins: husband of Florence Ada Jenkins, of Salford, Lancashire.
William John Dee, Sergeant, 1881358, RAFVR, aged 20.  Flight Engineer.  Son of Harry and Constance Mary Dee, of Campden, Gloucestershire.
Sgt Norris, a member of a sister crew, was the nephew of a Geoff Reynolds, who read a poem at the commemoration ceremony: his name was added to the memorial.
Raymond Geoffrey Norris, Sergeant, 1602554, RAFVR, aged 21.  Radio Operator (Air).  Son of Arthur George and Elsie Norris; nephew of Mr J. Reynolds, of Gunville, Isle of Wight.  Killed in action on 1 June, 1944.  Buried in Marissel French National Cemetery, Oise, France.

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Inscription:

IN MEMORY OF THE CREW OF LANCASTER BOMBER HK 773 LS-W OF XV SQUADRON WHO LOST THEIR LIVES WHEN THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON THIS SPOT AT 11.00 AM ON 22ND MARCH 1945 HAVING TAKEN OFF FROM R.A.F. MILDENHALL

Names:

W/O F.NEWTON PILOT RAAF, SGT C.CHURCH NAV RAFVR, SGT G.COPE WOP RAFVR, SGT M.MATTHEWS BA RAFVR, SGT P.COOLEY MUG RAFVR, SGT T.JENKINS TG RAFVR, SGT W.DEE FE RAFVR. ALSO SGT R.G. 'GEOFF' NORRIS WOP RAFVR, KILLED 1ST JUNE 1944.

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