Bomber Command Memorial Register

Bleasby (4) Lancaster Memorial

61 SquadronNottinghamshireLancaster

Bleasby (4), Nottinghamshire

Comprehensive Record

Photographs

the bleasby aircrews memorial
the bleasby aircrews memorial — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
crew of lancaster jb 132 late august 1943 1
crew of lancaster jb 132 late august 1943 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
61 squadron lancaster iii jb132
61 squadron lancaster iii jb132 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
61 squadron lancaster iii jb132 1
61 squadron lancaster iii jb132 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
no. 25 bombing leader course 1941aircrew remembered 1
no. 25 bombing leader course 1941aircrew remembered 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
wellburn dennis crosby grave
wellburn dennis crosby grave — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
sgt jack blackett 1092940 rafvr age 20 1
sgt jack blackett 1092940 rafvr age 20 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
sgt alan paterson 639330 raf age 25
sgt alan paterson 639330 raf age 25 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
google maps syerston bleasby morton
google maps syerston bleasby morton — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
bleasby os map 1905
bleasby os map 1905 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
alan paterson colleagues training copy w800 w800 1
Credit: Aircrew Remembered
alan paterson training colleagues signatures w800 w800 1
Credit: Aircrew Remembered

The Memorial

Part of the Bleasby Aircrew Memorial site.

Type
Memorial stone
Inscription

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

LocationApproximate Location

Bleasby (4), Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire

what3words: ///highs.towels.firepower

What Happened

Taking off from RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire at 20:08 hrs. to attack the heart of Germany - Berlin. 622 aircraft took part made up from 331 Lancasters, 176 Halifaxes, 106 Stirlings and 9 Mosquitoes. Due to the use for the first time of fighter flares dropped by German aircraft to mark the route of the bombers, the German night-fighters made many attacks on the bomb run. This resulted in huge losses to the Allies with 47 aircraft lost - 10 Lancasters, 17 Stirlings and 20 Halifaxes. Tentative ide

Community Connection

The memorial was created and shared by Les Smith, as indicated in the image's metadata. Another image of the memorial was also provided by Richard E. However, it can be inferred that the creation and sharing of these images signify a community effort to remember and honor the fallen air crews from Bleasby.

Remembrance

Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.

Share remembrance information

Aircraft & Operation Details

61 Squadron badgePer purum tonantes
Aircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
JB132
Squadron
61 Squadron
Station
Syerston
Date of Loss
1943-09-01

Crew (4 members)

crew of lancaster jb 132 late august 1943 1
crew of lancaster jb 132 late august 1943 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
no. 25 bombing leader course 1941aircrew remembered 1
no. 25 bombing leader course 1941aircrew remembered 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
Sqn Ldr
Dennis Crosby Wellburn DFC, 40965 RAFO Age 27. KiA
Pilot27—Unknown—
Sgt
John Knox Watson
Flight Engineer20—Unknown—
Sgt
John Reid Forrest
Navigator31—Unknown—
Flt Lt
Richard Edward Davies
Bomb Aimer31—Unknown—

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 JB132 of 61 Squadron departed RAF Syerston at 20:08 on 31 August 1943 to bomb Berlin. Returning at 03:26 on 1 September, it collided head-on at 1,500 feet with Lancaster R5698 of 1654 HCU. An explosion and fire occurred in mid-air, killing all 8 crew including Sqn Ldr Dennis Crosby Wellburn DFC, aged 27.

What you'll find: Detailed account of tragic mid-air collision over Nottinghamshire, 1943.

Departed Syerston 20:08 for Berlin raidHead-on collision at 03:26 at 1,500 feetExplosion and fire in mid-airWellburn aged 27, held DFCFull crew: Clarke, Watson, Forrest, Davies, Blackett, Joyce, Paterson

Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23

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.

What you'll find: Detailed accident report of Lancaster III JB132's mid-air collision on 1 September 1943, including operational context.

ASN reference 210390Classified as mid-air collision

IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23

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.

What you'll find: Detailed War Memorial Register Entry for Bleasby Lancaster Memorial, featuring crew tributes and crash site locations.

IWM memorial reference 86723

Related Memorial

Bleasby (3) R.5698 Memorial
Mid-air collision at Bleasby, 1 September 1943

Nearby Memorials

Bleasby (2) W.4232 Memorial
0.0 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Bleasby (5) R.1014 Memorial
0.0 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Bleasby (1) R.5703 Memorial
0.1 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Hoveringham (1) Lancaster Memorial
2.1 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Hoveringham (2) Lancaster Memorial
2.1 miles away
Nottinghamshire

Sources

Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21

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