Bomber Command Memorial Register

Colchester Lancaster Memorial

Colchester, Essex

Partial Record
Approximate location?

Help us verify this location. This memorial's position is not yet precisely confirmed. If you have local knowledge, photographs, or documentary evidence of the exact site, we'd love to hear from you.

Location

Colchester, Essex, Essex

what3words: ///boots.stones.camp

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
DV177
Squadron
626 Squadron
Station
Wickenby
Date of Loss
1944-04-25

Crew

8 killed including pilot Plt Off. Murray L. McPherson

Memorial Details

Type
Stone memorial

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Colchester City Council

Local Contacts

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

Colchester Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Colchester City Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

TracesOfWarRetrieved 2026-03-23

Memorial database entry for Lancaster DV177 at Colchester. The 626 Squadron aircraft from Wickenby crashed on 25 April 1944 at 04:10 after being attacked by a German intruder near Diss, Norfolk, while returning from operations.

Attacked by German intruder near DissAttempted emergency landing at Boxted (USAAF station)Crashed in flames, now Severalls Business Park site

IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23

Imperial War Museums register entry for the memorial to the crew of Lancaster UM-K2 (DV177) at Colchester, Essex. Commemorates all eight crew killed.

IWM memorial reference 69872Squadron code UM-K2

Gazette News (Colchester)Retrieved 2026-03-23

News report on remembrance service for the crew of Lancaster DV177. Memorial unveiled near the crash location on 25 April 2013. Crew included Canadian and British airmen of 626 Squadron.

Memorial unveiled 25 April 2013Crew included RCAF pilot P/O McPherson and RCAF W/O CameronAnnual remembrance services held

Sources

  • Geograph Essex(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
TracesOfWar (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Gazette News (Colchester) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-21

Nearby Memorials

Ardleigh II Memorial
Ardleigh, EssexHalifax II1943-02-25
7.0 km
away
Little Yeldham Wellington Memorial
Little Yeldham, EssexWellington1944-04-11
25.9 km
away
Walton-on-the-Naze VII Memorial
Walton-on-the-Naze, EssexHalifax VII1945-03-06
26.0 km
away
Thorpe Morieux (1) 42-3108 Memorial
Thorpe Morieux (1), SuffolkB-17 42-31081944-04-12
28.7 km
away
Thorpe Morieux (2) 42-38085 Memorial
Thorpe Morieux (2), SuffolkB-17 42-380851944-03-27
28.7 km
away

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This record for Colchester Lancaster Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.

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