Memorial Plaque to crew of 1653 HCU Lancaster PD431 H4-V

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Reference WMO/264770

Address:

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

Church Lane

Edith Weston

Oakham

LE15 8EY

England

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Type: Non freestanding
Location: External
Setting: Attached to a building/structure
Description: Board/Plaque/ Tablet
Materials:
  • Metal Metal (any)
Lettering: Inscribed on a plaque
Conflicts:
  • Second World War (1939-1945)
About the memorial: 1653 HCU Lancaster PD431 H4-V had departed North Luffenham ar 1100 on 04/03/45 for a routine Cross-Country training flight. At approx 1600, it returned to base but bounced hard on its first attempted landing on Rwy 36. Power was increased to attempt a go around, however as it climbed away, its undercarriage hit an obstruction (latter discovered to be a van on the airfield) Seconds later the aircraft clipped trees on the northern boundary and its crashed close to the church of St Mary the Virgin in the nearby village of Edith Weston and caught fire. Six of the seven crew were killed in the crash, a seventh died later in RAF Hospital Rauceby nr Sleaford - where the driver of the van (Sgt Ratcliffe who was an Air Gunner) was also transferred to. He died from his injuries on 05/03/45 The memorial plaque was dedicated at 1600 hrs on 04/03/16.
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IN MEMORY OF / THE CREW WHO DIED WHEN / RAF LANCASTER PD431 OF 1653 HCU / CRASHED & CAUGHT FIRE 100 YDS EAST OF THIS SPOT / 4.00 PM Sunday March 4th 1945 [Names/rank/age x8] / LEST WE FORGET.

Flt. Sgt. Terence Truskett (RAAF) Pilot 25yrs, Fg Off Bernard Drake (RAF) Navigator/Instructor 24yrs, WO Donald McLellan (RAAF) Wireless Operator 26 yrs, Flt Sgt William Ford (RAF) Bomb Aimer 32yrs. Flt Sgt Ian Yorkston (RAAF) Navigator 26yrs, Sgt Dennis Gilbert (RAF) Pilot/Flight Engineer 26yrs, Sgt William Ratcliffe (RAF) Air Gunner 25yrs, Sgt James Thompson (RAF) Air Gunner 19yrs.

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