Bomber Command Memorial Register

Bleasby (3) R.5698 Memorial

1654 HCUNottinghamshireLancaster R.5698

Bleasby (3), Nottinghamshire

Comprehensive Record

Photographs

654 heavy conversion unit lancaster i r5698 ug p crew
654 heavy conversion unit lancaster i r5698 ug p crew — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
wig1 copy
wig1 copy — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
1654 hcu raf wigsley in mid 1943
1654 hcu raf wigsley in mid 1943 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
the bleasby aircrews memorial 1
the bleasby aircrews memorial 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
macdonald 2 copy
macdonald 2 copy — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
thorneysthelenjoblingmar 2016ed copy1 1
thorneysthelenjoblingmar 2016ed copy1 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
e n jones courtesy mike mcquaid copy
e n jones courtesy mike mcquaid copy — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
g h tough copy
g h tough copy — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
thorneysthelenrashbrookmar 2016ed copy
thorneysthelenrashbrookmar 2016ed copy — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
liverpool anfiels cem from cwgc copy
liverpool anfiels cem from cwgc copy — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

The Memorial

Part of the Bleasby Aircrew Memorial site.

Type
Memorial marker
Inscription

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

LocationEstimated Location

Bleasby (3), Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire

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What Happened

The aircraft took off from RAF Wigsley for a night cross country training exercise. RAF Wigsley, Nottinghamshire (courtesy Newark Air Museum) On the same evening Lancaster JB132 took off from RAF Syerston for an operation on Berlin and was returning to base when the two aircraft collided in mid-air at 03.26hrs. Map showing the area of the collision near Southwell, 6 miles west of Newark-upon-Trent, Nottinghamshire Both aircraft exploded and all members of both crews were killed. Lancaster R5698

Community Connection

In 2018, the Bleasby community came together to unveil the Aircrews Memorial. The initiative was led by the Bleasby Parish Council and supported through various fundraising events organized by the community.

Remembrance

An annual commemorative service is held on 2018.

Aircrews Memorial 2018(2018)

Centenary event for the Aircrews Memorial

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Lancaster R.5698
Squadron
1654 HCU
Station
Wigsley
Date of Loss
1943-09-01

Crew (3 members)

654 heavy conversion unit lancaster i r5698 ug p crew
654 heavy conversion unit lancaster i r5698 ug p crew — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
Plt Off
Joseph Widger Murphy 'Joe' Macdonald
Pilot30—Killed—
Sgt
George Robert Joyce
Flight Engineer19—Killed—
Sgt
Edward Neilan Jones
Bomb Aimer20—Killed—

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Bleasby Parish Council

Part of the Bleasby Aircrew Memorial site.

Local Contacts

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

Southwell Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Bleasby Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Aircrewremembered.comRetrieved 2026-03-24

Lancaster R5698 (coded UG:P) of 1654 HCU was on a night training cross-country from RAF Wigsley on 1 September 1943 when it collided head-on at 1,500 feet with Lancaster JB132 of 61 Squadron returning from a Berlin raid. The collision occurred at 03:26 hours, 4 miles NW of RAF Syerston, killing all 8 crew of R5698.

What you'll find: Detailed account of mid-air collision and subsequent loss of Lancaster R5698 crew during WW2 training mission.

Aircraft coded UG:PTraining cross-country from WigsleyHead-on collision at 1,500 feetCollision at 03:26 hours, 4 miles NW of SyerstonBoth aircraft burning navigation lightsAll 8 crew killed

Newark AdvertiserRetrieved 2026-03-23

Local newspaper coverage of the memorial dedication ceremony, describing the community-led project to honour the approximately 40 airmen who perished near Bleasby during the war.

What you'll find: Community-led dedication ceremony for Bleasby WW2 airmen memorial, honoring approximately 40 fallen airmen.

Community-led memorial projectApproximately 40 airmen commemorated in total

Related Memorial

Bleasby (4) Lancaster Memorial
Mid-air collision at Bleasby, 1 September 1943

Nearby Memorials

Vickers Wellington LP841 - Stone
0.4 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Halam Lancaster ED823 Memorial
2.9 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Farnsfield Halifax MZ519 Memorial
4.2 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Blyth Green (1) Wellington Memorial
4.2 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Handley Page Halifax MZ519
4.5 miles away
Nottinghamshire

Sources

Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Newark Advertiser (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21

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