Lancaster LM551 Information Panel, Contrisson

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

On the night of 18/19 July 1944, No. 463 Squadron RAAF despatched Lancaster LM551 (JO-G) from RAF Waddington at 22:53 as part of a force of around 110 Lancasters tasked against the railway junction at Revigny-sur-Ornain, a key German supply route through the Meuse valley. The Revigny raid was one of three attacks on this target that month and one of the most costly, with 24 or more aircraft failing to return that night.

LM551 was captained by Flying Officer Beverley Hudson Gifford, 28, from Como, Western Australia. The crew were an almost entirely RAAF complement — six Australians and one RAF flight engineer, Sergeant Harold Newell. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off. It crashed into the Canal de la Marne au Rhin near Contrisson, between locks 53 and 54.

Two Luftwaffe nightfighter claims have been associated with this loss. Research confirms that Oblt Drünkler's verified 19 July claim (his 20th Abschuss) was against Lancaster PB234 of 467 Squadron, which crashed near Brabant-le-Roi approximately 2 km north of Revigny. The competing claim consistent with LM551 is that of Hptm Paul-Hubert Rauh, who recorded his 19th victory — a four-engined bomber — at 01:55 on 19 July near Vitry-le-François. Neither claim has been definitively matched to LM551 in open sources; the attribution remains unresolved.

All seven crew were recovered from the canal and buried together in collective grave 3.E.1-7 at Choloy War Cemetery, Meurthe-et-Moselle.

Information panel designed and installed by Ben Howson. F/O Gifford is also commemorated at the Kings Park State War Memorial in Western Australia, and on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour.

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