Avro Lancaster ND820
0.2 miles away
Lincolnshire
Bicker Lancaster Memorial
Bicker, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Bicker Parish Council.
Type
Memorial plaque
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
Bicker, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///juggler.event.though
What Happened
Flying a training operation from Downham Market, the crew of Lancaster ND820 never reached enemy skies. A suspected autopilot malfunction caused the brand-new aircraft — with only six hours of airtime — to enter a diving turn at 8,000 feet, catch fire, and crash near Bicker, Lincolnshire on 10 April 1944. Flight Sergeant Joseph Bernard Bannan, aged 24, was among the seven crew members killed. The youngest aboard, Sergeant John William Nixon, was just 19 years old. Assigned to 635 Squadron, the Lancaster was lost before flying a single operational sortie.
Community Connection
The Avro Lancaster ND820 memorial was created and shared by Gary Johnson. Another image of the same memorial was also contributed by Colin Murray, further emphasizing the community connection and shared interest in preserving this piece of history. The memorial at Bicker Fen, England, is a red brick built pier with a white cross on top, featuring plaques on the front face.
Remembrance
Memorial event(April 2026)
Memorial event held at Bicker (reported by parish council, exact date TBC)
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ND820
Squadron
635 Sqdn.Station
Downham Market
Date of Loss
1944-04-10
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Suspected auto-pilot malfunction; aircraft entered diving turn at 8,000 feet and caught fire; brand-new aircraft with only 6 hours airtime
Crew (8 members)
About the Crew
Fl/Sgt Joseph Bernard Bannan(age 24)Pilot
Killed when Lancaster ND820 crashed in flames at Bicker. Remains unrecovered due to intensity of fire; commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Fl/Sgt Bannan was 24 years old. He had 254 hours total flying time with only 15 hours on the Lancaster type.
Fl/Sgt Douglas James FarrantFlight Engineer
Killed in the crash. Remains unrecovered; commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Fl/Sgt Anthony Ivor Hunter(age 28)Navigator
Killed in the crash. Remains unrecovered; commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
W/O Roland Thornton Lord(age 25)Air Bomber
Killed in the crash. Remains unrecovered; commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt Reuben Horace Malthouse(age 23)Wireless Operator
Killed in the crash. Remains unrecovered; commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Sgt John William Nixon(age 19)Air Gunner
At 19, the youngest crew member. Killed in the crash. Remains unrecovered; commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
F/O Thomas Ferguson Wilson(age 26)Navigator
From Lucknow, Ontario, Canada
Bailed out as the Lancaster went down but was already dead or dying when his parachute brought him to earth. The only crew member whose body was recovered. Buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate.
F/O Wilson was 26 years old, from Lucknow, Ontario, Canada. For decades his family had no idea that the village of Bicker held annual commemoration ceremonies in his honour. CBC News recently connected the family with the Bicker community in a deeply emotional reunion.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Bicker Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Boston & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Bicker Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Bicker Parish CouncilParish Council
Memorial liaison — Dave Stubley (referred by parish clerk)
Further Reading
Bicker Parish CouncilRetrieved 2026-03-23
Bicker Parish Council hosts Dave Stubley's detailed research on Lancaster ND820, documenting how the brand-new aircraft (only 6 hours airtime) went into a diving turn at 8,000 feet during a bombing practice flight and crashed in flames. The auto-pilot is suspected of having malfunctioned.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Lancaster ND820's tragic crash during WW2, including suspected auto-pilot malfunction and crew information.
Aircraft had only 6 hours airtimeEntered diving turn at 8,000 feetAuto-pilot malfunction suspectedPilot Farrant had 254 hours total, 15 on type
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM records the Lancaster ND820 memorial at Bicker, Lincolnshire, erected on the 60th anniversary of the crash.
What you'll find: Detailed War Memorial Register entry for Lancaster ND820, including crash site and 60th anniversary memorial.
IWM memorial reference 59226
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online documents the memorial on Eaudike Road, Bicker, built directly over the impact point by the Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery Group (LARG) and unveiled on 10 April 2004.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Bicker Lancaster Memorial's construction, unveiling, and historical context.
Memorial built over exact impact pointErected by Lincolnshire Aircraft Recovery GroupUnveiled 10 April 2004, 60th anniversary
CBC News CanadaRetrieved 2026-03-23
CBC News reported on the emotional reunion between the Canadian family of F/O Thomas Ferguson Wilson and the Bicker community, who had honoured the seven airmen in annual ceremonies for decades without the family's knowledge. Wilson, 26, from Lucknow, Ontario, bailed out but was dead or dying when he reached the ground.
What you'll find: Emotional Reunion at Bicker Lancaster Memorial: Unveiling a Decades-Long Honour for F/O Thomas Ferguson Wilson, Remembered by the Community in Lincolnshire, England.
Wilson's family in Canada unaware of annual ceremonies for decadesCBC connected family with Bicker communityWilson bailed out but was already dead or dyingReunion described as deeply emotional
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Bicker Parish Council (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
CBC News Canada (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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