Bleasby (4) Lancaster Memorial

## Dedication Saturday 01st September 2018 12:00 noon

## Featured On Propeller Circle

## Featured On Tail Fin

It is expected that over 40 relatives from the crews will be attending as well as representatives from the RAF, RAAF, Polish Air Force. If you are unable to attend but would like details sent to you after the event please advise us. We would appreciate that you circulate details of the event via your various social media contacts.

The Memorial concept was created by a Nottingham architect Keith Clark, acting as a volunteer, and a villager Derek McGrath.

Manufacturing feasibility and detailed design was developed by Michael Wright, of D and M Stonemasons of Nottingham. Michael procured the granite stone from India, where the components were specially quarried, cut and polished to the design. The near finished components were shipped to Michael's workshop where Michael completed the finishing touches.

An information book, compiled by Ken Ogilvie, is available for visitors to read in the Waggon and Horses pub nearby, where food and drink is available if required.

This moving and memorable Bleasby Community project was conceived to honour crews who flew from nearby RAF Syerston.

RAF Syerston was built as part of the bomber expansion in the late 1930s, but did not open until 1 December 1940. The first aircraft were Vickers Wellingtons crewed by Polish flyers. In July 1941 they were replaced by members of the RCAF flying Handley-Page Hampdens. From December 1941 until 5 May 1942, the base was closed whilst a concrete runway was built with two T2 hangars. When it re-opened, it became part of No. 5 Group. In 1942 several squadrons of Avro Lancaster aircraft arrived. In 1943 Bill Reid of 61 Squadron won a Victoria Cross on a mission flown from RAF Syerston.

On 17 November 1943 the operational squadrons departed, and the station was used for bomber crew training, led by Captain Robert White. It became known as the Lancaster Finishing School in January 1944. From November 1943 to July 1944 there was also a Bombing and Gunnery Defence Training Flight in attendance with several Wellingtons, Spitfires, Hurricanes, plus a few Martinet tug aircraft, all employed in brushing up the skills of air gunners on air-to-air exercises. The LFS left on 1 April 1945, with No. 49 Squadron arriving from RAF Fulbeck later in the month who only had one operation before leaving to RAF Mepal in September.

Updated photo memorial with turf laid - June 2018

Fundraising is ongoing to complete the foundations and landscaping. This may include the construction of a new brick wall to complete a backdrop, at right angles to, and to match the existing one that marks the boundary with the churchyard. The Bleasby Local History Society have applied for a second grant towards the cost of this work, and if awarded, then this may happen shortly.

This has been a Bleasby Community project, led by Ken Ogilvie, involving members of the Bleasby Local History Society, The Bleasby Parochial Church Council (St Marys Church), and the Bleasby Parish Council. Fundraising involved a variety of village activities and events, including the Bleasby Aircrews memorial steam train excursion, voluntary donations, and a grant from the Nottinghamshire County Council.

If you are unable to attend and wish to place a wreath or, better still donate towards the cost of this wonderful memorial please contact webmaster here .

61 Squadron Lancaster III JB132:

Sq/Ldr. Dennis Crosby Wellburn DFC. of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

F/O. Roy Leslie Clarke of Hastings, Victoria, Australia.

Sgt. John Knox Watson of Mid Calder, West Lothian, Scotland

Sgt. John Reid Forrest of Glasgow, Scotland.

Fl/Lt. Richard Edward Davies of West Wickham, Kent, England.

Sgt. Jack Blackett of Durham, England.

F/O. Trevor Francis Joyce of Ruislip, Middlesex, England .

Sgt. Alan Paterson of Glendevon, Perthshire, Scotland.

For further details on this loss read it here.

1654 Heavy Conversion Unit Lancaster I R5698:

P/O. Joseph Widger Murphy Macdonald of Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales.

Sgt. George Robert Joyce of Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, England.

F/O. Walter Stephen Jobling DFC of Lincoln, England.

Sgt. Thomas George William Shepherd of Stockton-on-Tees, England. (1)

Sgt. Edward Neilan Jones of Wallasey, England.

Sgt. George Herbert Tough of Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland.

Sgt. John Henry Hutchinson of of Liverpool, England.

Fl/Sgt. Robert William Rashbrook of Bassendean, Western Australia.

(1) From new information received September 07th 2018 - enquiries are being made to establish how we are able to add his name to the memorial.

For further details on this loss read it here

304 Squadron (P) Wellington R1014:

Sgt. Stanisław Tofin of Krzyszkowice, Myślenice, Poland.

Sgt.

Local remembrance and memorial support

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

ASN records the mid-air collision accident of Lancaster III JB132 on 1 September 1943, classified as a mid-air collision during return from operations.

ASN reference 210390Classified as mid-air collision

IWM records the Bleasby Air Crews memorial that includes the JB132 crew among the approximately 40 airmen commemorated from multiple wartime crashes near the village.

IWM memorial reference 86723