Bawdeswell Mosquito Memorial

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Village website documents how Mosquito KB364 crashed in Bawdeswell on the evening of 6 November 1944 while returning from a diversionary raid on Gelsenkirchen. The aircraft tore down electricity cables on Reepham Road, set All Saints' Church alight, and damaged Barwick House and Chaucer House.

Crashed at 20:45 on 6 November 1944Tore down electricity cables on Reepham RoadSet All Saints' Church alightDamaged Barwick House and Chaucer House

Detailed account of the two-man crew: P/O James McLean (26) and Sgt Mervyn Lambert Tansley (21), both RAF(VR). The Mosquito was part of 608 Squadron's Light Night Striking Force flying diversionary raids at 25,000 feet. Icing of controls is believed to have caused the crash on the return journey.

McLean aged 26, Tansley aged 21608 Squadron reformed 1 August 1944 at Downham MarketPart of 8 Group Light Night Striking Force12 aircraft attacked Gelsenkirchen, 11 returnedIcing of controls suspected cause

Blog post marking the anniversary of the KB364 crash, noting that McLean was buried in Tranent New Cemetery, East Lothian, Scotland and Tansley in Fulham Old Cemetery, London. A fragment of the Mosquito has been made into a memorial plaque inside All Saints' Church.

McLean buried Tranent New Cemetery, East LothianTansley buried Fulham Old Cemetery, LondonAircraft fragment made into memorial plaque in church

Geograph photo record of the memorial plaque for Mosquito KB364 (coded 6T-P) of 608 Squadron at Bawdeswell.

Aircraft coded 6T-P