Hoveringham (1) Lancaster Memorial
1.3 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Gonalston Lancaster L7578 Memorial
Gonalston, Nottinghamshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
This stone memorial was erected by Local community and dedicated on 2010. Maintained by local community. Gonalston is a small parish with a parish meeting rather than a full council. The memorial is in good condition.
Type
Stone memorial
Erected By
Local community
Dedication Date
2010
Condition
Good
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Gonalston, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
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What Happened
The aircraft, crewed by seven airmen from Britain and Canada, dived from 8,000 feet — the cause attributed to a suspected parachute harness entangled in the controls. It crashed at Gonalston, Nottinghamshire, near Glebe Farm, with the wreckage and a large blaze scattered across the field. All seven men were killed on impact: Pilot Officer George Benjamin Sanderson, aged 31; Sergeant James Graham Middlemas of Galashiels, aged 19; Sergeant Albert Dennis Clark, aged 28; Pilot Officer Archibald Thomas Noble of High River, Alberta, aged 28; Sergeant Bernard Broe, aged 22; Flight Sergeant Dennis Wright, aged 20; and Sergeant Dereck Nicholls, aged 19. A stone memorial at Gonalston honours their names.
Community Connection
The memorial was provided by the family of the Flight Engineer, Wood Barn near Glebe Farm, Gonalston Lane / Southwell Road, Gonalston.
Lancaster Bomber L7578 | Thurgarton History This article is an edited version of a school history project researched and written by Tom Wilson whose grandmother, Mrs Margaret Whiteside, lived in Thurgarton.
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 informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Avro Lancaster I
Serial Number
L7578
Aircraft Code
RC-L
Squadron
5 Lancaster Finishing SchoolStation
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)
About the Crew
P/O George Benjamin Sanderson(age 31)Pilot
Killed when Lancaster L7578 dived from 8,000 feet into the ground at Gonalston. Sanderson was a 31-year-old Canadian, the eldest of the crew.
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.
Sgt James Graham Middlemas(age 19)Flight Engineer
Killed aged 19 in the crash at Gonalston. Buried with the entire crew in a collective grave at Newark Cemetery.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Gonalston Parish Meeting
Website
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
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Comprehensive page on P/O George Benjamin Sanderson and crew of Lancaster L7578 RC-L, 5 Lancaster Finishing School. The aircraft dived from 8,000 feet at 22:15 on 26 May 1944, crashing at Wood Barn near Gonalston. All seven crew killed.
What you'll find: Comprehensive details about P/O George Benjamin Sanderson and crew of Lancaster L7578 RC-L, including crash site information from Aircrew Remembered's source.
Lancaster L7578 was historically significant, originally built as a Manchester in 1940 and converted. Used by Wing Commander John Nettleton VC for training before the Augsburg Raid. Possible cause was parachute harness entangled in controls.
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.
What you'll find: The stone memorial honoring Lancaster L7578's crew members at Gonalston.
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.
What you'll find: Local history of Lancaster L7578 in Thurgarton History article.
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.
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Thurgarton History (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Newark Advertiser (newspaper)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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