Short Stirling EH988
0.0 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Annesley Stirling Memorial
Annesley, Nottinghamshire
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Annesley and Felley Parish Council.
Type
Stone memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
Annesley, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
what3words: ///treetop.mistaken.exclusive
What Happened
On a training flight from RAF Winthorpe on 14 January 1945, Stirling EH988 of 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit came down near Annesley, Nottinghamshire, approximately fifteen minutes after takeoff. A fire broke out in one of the starboard engines, and the aircraft entered cloud in a steep diving turn before crashing. All five men aboard were killed: the pilot, Squadron Leader Stephen Legh Cockbain DFC, aged 28, along with Flight Sergeants T.A. Ball and E.C. Barton, and Sergeants K. Harris and J. Littlemore. Cockbain, whose decorations reflected prior operational service, was the son of Thomas Herbert and Edith Clara Byng Cockbain of Verwood, Dorset. The youngest of the crew, Sergeant Littlemore, was nineteen years old.
Community Connection
The unveiling of the memorial on 16/09/98 marked a significant community connection, honoring their service and sacrifice.
This project is the result of on-going collaboration between IBCC, the MOD Records Office and National Archives, Kew.
Remembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Stirling
Serial Number
EH988
Squadron
1661 HCUStation
Winthorpe
Date of Loss
1945-01-14
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Starboard engine fire; aircraft entered cloud in steep diving turn and crashed
Crew (6 members)
About the Crew
S/Ldr Stephen Legh Cockbain(age 28)PilotDFC
Killed when Stirling EH988 crashed at Home Farm, Annesley Park estate. Buried at Oxford (Botley) Cemetery.
Squadron Leader Cockbain held the Distinguished Flying Cross, indicating previous distinguished service on operations. He had been rested from front-line duties and was serving with Ferry Command at 1661 HCU, Winthorpe. He was 28 years old at the time of the crash.
F/Sgt T.A. Ball(age 20)Crew
Killed in the crash of Stirling EH988 at Annesley on 14 January 1945.
F/Sgt E.C. Barton(age 21)Crew
Killed in the crash of Stirling EH988 at Annesley on 14 January 1945.
Sgt K. Harris(age 22)Crew
Killed in the crash of Stirling EH988 at Annesley on 14 January 1945.
Sgt J. Littlemore(age 19)Crew
Killed in the crash of Stirling EH988 at Annesley on 14 January 1945.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Annesley and Felley Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Hucknall Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Annesley and Felley Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
TracesOfWar.comRetrieved 2026-03-23
TracesOfWar documents the Annesley Stirling memorial near the crash site of EH988, noting it was erected in the late 1990s by the Stirling Memorial Group.
What you'll find: Detailed documentation of Annesley Stirling Memorial near EH988 crash site, including its establishment by the Stirling Memorial Group in the late 1990s.
Memorial erected by Stirling Memorial GroupLocated close to original crash site on Musters Estate
RAF CommandsRetrieved 2026-03-23
RAF Commands archives hold the record of Stirling EH988 from 1661 HCU at Winthorpe, confirming it crashed on 14 January 1945 while being ferried to Northern Ireland for scrapping.
What you'll find: Detailed records of Stirling EH988's fate, including crash details and archive confirmation from RAF Commands.
Confirms 1661 HCU WinthorpeAircraft was being ferried to Maghaberry for scrappingTwo engines lost after takeoff
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The Imperial War Museum's War Memorials Register lists the Crew of Stirling EH988 memorial, recording the five casualties: Ball, Barton, Cockbain, Harris, and Littlemore.
What you'll find: Detailed War Memorials Register entry for Annesley Stirling EH988 crew, including casualty names and memorial location.
IWM memorial reference 26850Lists five named casualties
International Bomber Command CentreRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IBCC Digital Archive records Squadron Leader Cockbain's loss in the Stirling EH988 crash, linking it to the 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit.
What you'll find: Comprehensive archive records detailing Squadron Leader Cockbain's Stirling EH988 crash, connected to the 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit.
IBCC loss record 205355Confirms S/Ldr Cockbain's DFC
Nottinghamshire Roll of HonourRetrieved 2026-03-23
The Nottinghamshire County Council Roll of Honour records the Annesley 1945 Short Stirling Air Crash war memorial, noting the crash took place on the Annesley Park estate near Mansfield.
What you'll find: Detailed crash account, victim profiles, and memorial site information.
Nottinghamshire memorial reference 1977Crash at Home Farm, Annesley Park estate
Hucknall DispatchRetrieved 2026-03-23
Local newspaper article recounting the Annesley crash, noting the aircraft attempted a forced landing at RAF Hucknall after losing two engines but crashed on a wooded ridge on the Musters Estate. Recovered aircraft fragments are held in a casket at Newark Air Museum.
What you'll find: Historical account of Annesley Stirling crash, including recovery details and aircraft fragment preservation.
Aircraft tried to reach RAF HucknallCrashed on wooded ridge on Musters EstateFragments stored at Newark Air Museum
Nearby Memorials
Sources
TracesOfWar.com (retrieved 2026-03-23)
RAF Commands (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
International Bomber Command Centre (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Nottinghamshire Roll of Honour (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Hucknall Dispatch (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
CWGC - Oxford (Botley) Cemetery (database)
TracesOfWar - Cockbain, Stephen Legh (database)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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