Bomber Command Memorial Register

Grimston Hill Wellington MS471 Memorial

Grimston Hill, Wellow, 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

old barn southwark art collection website
old barn southwark art collection website, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
po. herbert ibbott j24024 rcaf
po. herbert ibbott j24024 rcaf, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
82 otu wellington x ms471 graves
82 otu wellington x ms471 graves, Credit: Aircrew Remembered

Location

Grimston Hill, Wellow, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire

what3words: ///faded.belt.hydration

Narrative

Returning from a cross-country training exercise, the Wellington's starboard engine failed. Pilot P/O Adams, unable to maintain height on one engine, attempted a forced landing but stalled while trying to clear telegraph poles, crashing into a cornfield. Police Sergeant Ernest John Thomas Flinders, who happened to be nearby on leave, sprinted across fields and pulled crew members from the burning wreckage despite exploding ammunition. He was awarded the British Empire Medal. F/O Frank Graham-Bell was a distinguished painter and art critic for the New Statesman. Canadian P/O Herbert Ibbott has a lake in northern Manitoba named in his honour.

Aircraft & Operation Details

82 Operational Training Unit badgePeace Through Strength
Aircraft Type
Vickers Wellington X
Serial Number
MS471
Aircraft Code
KA:G
Squadron
82 Operational Training Unit
Station
RAF Ossington
Date of Loss
1943-08-09
Operation Type
Training
Target
Cross-country exercise
Cause of Loss
Starboard engine failure; stall on attempted forced landing

Crew (5 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
P/OWalter Waldron Adams
150243 RAFVR
Pilot24BritishKilledBournemouth Crematorium, Panel 1CWGC
F/OFrank Graham-Bell
135747 RAF
Observer32BritishKilledGolders Green Crematorium, Panel 2CWGC
P/OHerbert Ibbott
J24024 RCAF
Bomb Aimer21CanadianKilledBedford Cemetery, Sec H, Grave 838CWGC
SgtRoland Walter Ballauff
1390845 RAFVR
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner21BritishKilledOllerton Cemetery, Grave 1205CWGC
SgtPeter Baldwin
1861770 RAFVR
Rear Air Gunner19BritishKilledOllerton Cemetery, Grave 1180CWGC

About the Crew

P/O Walter Waldron Adams(age 24)Pilot

From Bournemouth

A 24-year-old trainee pilot with limited Wellington experience. He was unable to maintain height on one engine after the starboard engine failed.

F/O Frank Graham-Bell(age 32)Observer

From London

Frank Graham-Bell (1910-1943) was a distinguished painter and art critic who wrote for the New Statesman. At 32, he was the eldest crew member. His death represented a significant loss to the British art world.

P/O Herbert Ibbott(age 21)Bomb Aimer

A 21-year-old Canadian serving with the RCAF. Ibbott Lake in northern Manitoba is named in his memory.

Memorial Details

Type
Memorial at RAF Ossington site
Dedication Date
2022
Condition
Good

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Wellow Parish Council

Memorial at former RAF Ossington site, in Wellow parish area.

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

Wellow Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Newark AdvertiserRetrieved 2026-03-23

Newspaper article marking 80 years since the Wellington MS471 crash at Grimston Hill. Details the heroism of PS Flinders and the stories of the crew, including the notable backgrounds of Graham-Bell (artist/critic) and Ibbott (Canadian whose name lives on in Manitoba geography).

80th anniversary commemoration. Pilot Adams had only 18 hours of daytime Wellington flying experience and no night experience recorded. Memorial at former RAF Ossington site dedicated in 2022.

Sources

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Newark Advertiser (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

Nearby Memorials

Farnsfield Halifax MZ519 Memorial
Farnsfield, NottinghamshireHandley Page Halifax Mk.III1944-07-06
8.8 km
away
Blyth Green (1) Wellington Memorial
Blyth Green (1), NottinghamshireWellington1944-03-07
8.8 km
away
Bleasby (3) R.5698 Memorial
Bleasby (3), NottinghamshireLancaster R.56981943-09-01
9.1 km
away
Halam Lancaster ED823 Memorial
Halam, NottinghamshireAvro Lancaster Mk.III1943-04-10
11.2 km
away
Laxton Wellington Memorial
Laxton, NottinghamshireWellington1945-01-05
11.3 km
away

Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.

Suggest a correction or addition