Bomber Command Memorial Register

Gonalston Lancaster L7578 Memorial

Gonalston, Nottinghamshire

Complete 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.

Photographs

5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crewa
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crewa, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crewb 1
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crewb 1, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
sgt james graham middlemas 1822037 rafvr
sgt james graham middlemas 1822037 rafvr, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
61 air gunners course
61 air gunners course, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l 1
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l 1, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l memorial untidy state 1
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l memorial untidy state 1, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crew graves markers 1944
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crew graves markers 1944, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crew graves 2015
5 lfs lancaster i l7578 rc l crew graves 2015, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
betty sheldon visiting crashsite with landowner
betty sheldon visiting crashsite with landowner, Credit: Aircrew Remembered

Location

Gonalston, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire

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Narrative

Lancaster L7578 was a historically significant aircraft — originally built as a Manchester bomber in 1940, later converted to a Lancaster. It had served with Squadrons 97, 207, 83, and Conversion Units 1654 and 1668 before arriving at 5 LFS. Notably, it was the aircraft used by Wing Commander John Nettleton VC for training prior to the famous Augsburg Raid. On 26 May 1944, P/O Sanderson's crew took off for a training exercise. The aircraft climbed to 8,000 feet, then suddenly dived into the ground at Gonalston. One theory suggests a parachute harness became entangled in the controls. All seven were buried together in a collective grave at Newark Cemetery. Eyewitnesses Arthur Knowles (later 91) and Kath Yates (85) attended a 75th anniversary memorial service in 2019, led by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Avro Lancaster I
Serial Number
L7578
Aircraft Code
RC-L
Squadron
5 Lancaster Finishing School
Station
RAF Syerston
Date of Loss
1944-05-26
Operation Type
Training
Target
Combined navigation and bombing exercise
Cause of Loss
Suspected parachute harness entangled in controls; aircraft dived from 8,000 ft

Crew (7 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
P/OGeorge Benjamin Sanderson
J/86545 RCAF
Pilot31CanadianKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309CWGC
SgtJames Graham Middlemas
1822037 RAFVR
Flight Engineer19BritishKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309CWGC
SgtAlbert Dennis Clark
1473146 RAFVR
Navigator28BritishKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309
P/OArchibald Thomas Noble
J/87968 RCAF
Air Bomber28CanadianKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309
SgtBernard Broe
1450090 RAFVR
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner22BritishKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309
Fl/SgtDennis Wright
R/203453 RCAF
Air Gunner20CanadianKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309
SgtDerek Nicholls
1852333 RAFVR
Air Gunner19BritishKilledNewark Cemetery, Sec F, Collective Grave 309

About the Crew

P/O George Benjamin Sanderson(age 31)Pilot

A 31-year-old Canadian pilot, Sanderson was the eldest member of the crew. He was partway through his Heavy Conversion Unit course, learning to fly four-engine bombers before posting to an operational squadron.

Memorial Details

Type
Stone memorial
Erected By
Local community
Dedication Date
2010
Condition
Good

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Gonalston Parish Meeting

Maintained by local community. Gonalston is a small parish with a parish meeting rather than a full council.

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

Gonalston Parish Meetingparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23

Imperial War Museum register entry for the Lancaster L7578 memorial at Gonalston. Stone memorial dedicated in 2010 commemorating all seven crew members.

Memorial reference 27204. Dedicated 2010. All seven crew buried in collective Grave 309, Section F, Newark Cemetery.

Thurgarton HistoryRetrieved 2026-03-23

Local history article about Lancaster L7578, detailing the crash at Gonalston and the aircraft's distinguished service record with multiple squadrons before arriving at 5 LFS Syerston.

Aircraft served with 97, 207, 83 Squadrons and Conversion Units 1654 and 1668 before 5 LFS. Eyewitnesses Arthur Knowles and Kath Yates attended the 75th anniversary service in 2019.

Sources

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Thurgarton History (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

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