Bomber Command Memorial Register

Ardleigh II Memorial

Ardleigh, Essex

Partial Record
Confirmed location?

Location

Ardleigh, Essex, Essex

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Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Halifax II
Serial Number
DT800
Squadron
102 (Ceylon) Squadron
Station
Pocklington
Date of Loss
1943-02-25

Crew

8 killed including pilot Flt Sgt. Charles Henry Bray

Memorial Details

Type
Monument

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Ardleigh Parish Council

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Wickford & District Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Ardleigh Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

On the evening of 25 February 1943, eleven Halifax II bombers of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron took off from RAF Pocklington for a raid on Nuremberg. DT800 (coded DY-P) crashed at Ardleigh at 20:24, about an hour after takeoff, likely due to icing causing loss of control.

Part of 11-aircraft raid on NurembergAircraft coded DY-PCrashed at 20:24, one hour after takeoffCarrying 1000lb bomb, incendiaries and propaganda leafletsExplosion created crater 30 yards diameter, 8ft deep1000lb bomb exploded 90 minutes later (possibly delayed-action)

Wartime Memories ProjectRetrieved 2026-03-23

The Wartime Memories Project documents RAF Pocklington as the base of 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, from which Halifax DT800 departed on its final flight.

102 Squadron operated from PocklingtonSquadron flew Halifax II bombers

Coventry TelegraphRetrieved 2026-03-23

Local press coverage of the memorial unveiling for the crew of Halifax DT800, honouring the eight crew members killed when the bomber crashed at Ardleigh during a Nuremberg raid.

Memorial unveiled 75 years after crashAll eight crew killed

Sources

  • Geograph Essex(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
102 (Ceylon) Squadron Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Wartime Memories Project (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Coventry Telegraph (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-21

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Felixstowe Docks P.1340 Memorial
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Felixstowe Lancaster Memorial
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Brettenham N.3756 Memorial
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