Bomber Command Memorial Register

Colsterdale Halifax Memorial

Colsterdale, Slipstone Crags, North Yorkshire

Partial Record
Approximate location?

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Location

Colsterdale, Slipstone Crags, North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire

what3words: ///greed.deliver.animate

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Halifax
Serial Number
JB926
Squadron
1658 HCU
Station
Riccall
Date of Loss
1943-11-24

Crew

8 killed including pilot Sgt. Richard Ernest Charles Bacon

Memorial Details

Type
Memorial stone

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Masham Parish Council

Local Contacts

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

Mashamshire Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Masham Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23

Detailed account of Halifax JB926 from 1658 HCU crashing at Slipstone Crags on the night of 23/24 November 1943. The aircraft broke up in mid-air due to severe icing on a night cross-country exercise despite gale warnings. All eight crew killed.

Aircraft broke up in mid-air before impactPort outer wing and both outer engines detachedIce build-up on airframe was causeCO allowed exercise despite gale warnings

Crash site investigation record for Halifax JB926 at Slipstone Crags. Documents the crash location, wreckage distribution, and the structural failure sequence caused by severe icing conditions.

Wreckage location documented with coordinatesStructural failure sequence analysedPart of broader Pennines crash sites database

IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23

Imperial War Museums register entry for the Halifax Bomber JB926 memorial stone at Colsterdale, North Yorkshire.

IWM memorial reference 29880

RAF Commands ArchiveRetrieved 2026-03-23

RAF Commands forum discussion with historical details of the Halifax JB926 crash from RAF Riccall. Includes crew details and circumstances of the 1658 HCU training accident.

Based at RAF RiccallNight cross-country training exercise

Sources

  • Geograph(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
RAF Commands Archive (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-21

Nearby Memorials

Great Whernside Halifax Memorial
Great Whernside, above Kettlewell, Pennines (North)Halifax1943-11-23
15.2 km
away
Buckden Pike N.2848 Memorial
Buckden Pike, North YorkshireWellington Mk.IC1942-01-30
17.6 km
away
Low Bradley Mk.XI Memorial
Low Bradley, near Skipton, Pennines (North)Wellington Mk.XI1943-09-23
35.4 km
away
Scawton (near Helmsley) Force) Memorial
Scawton (near Helmsley), North YorkshireHalifax (Free French Air Force)WW2 (returning from 38th mission)
41.3 km
away
East Moor (near Sutton-on-the-Forest) served Memorial
East Moor (near Sutton-on-the-Forest), General YorkshireGeneral memorial to all who servedWW2
47.4 km
away

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

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