Waithe Lancaster Mid-Air Collision Memorial
3.5 miles away
Lincolnshire
Hatcliffe Top Lancaster Memorial
Hatcliffe Top, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Hatcliffe Parish Meeting.
Type
Memorial plaque
Inscription
Plaque One: Remembering the Crew of Avro Lancaster Mkiii Jb 596 Hw - H - 100 SQDN Crashed on This Site Dec 17th 1943 on Return from Berlin [crew Names Inscribed on Memorial] Plaque Two: Now Harvests of Gold Corn Here Are Gathered No Swords Now but Ploughshares Instead and the Trees of Pine Stand Sentinal [sic] Over the Field Wher Lifesblood Was Shed Kathyryn Reid A.l.a.m. (Hons) Plaque Three: Pray Pause by This Memorial and Before You Go Remember the Debt to Brave Bomber Command Airment We Will Forever Owe Kr & Rs
LocationApproximate Location
Hatcliffe Top, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///subsets.laminate.punks
What Happened
On the night of the 23rd August 1943, Edward Platt was again the navigator on Halifax BB373 which took off from Breighton at 20:12 hours, detailed to bomb Berlin. On return from the mission, Flt Sgt Bell, along with Flying Officer Keirl piloting Halifax JB874 of the same squadron, were instructed to divert to RAF Leconfield near Beverley due to poor weather at Breighton. The accident record card for the aircraft states that 'Leconfield, unable to deal with these aircraft, diverted them to Hutton Cranswick and the aircraft collided shortly afterwards and crashed'.
Community Connection
The Avro Lancaster JB596 memorial was created and shared by Dougster G and dd.
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
Crew (9 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Hatcliffe Parish Meeting
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Great Grimsby Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Hatcliffe Parish Meetingparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM register lists this memorial as commemorating Lancaster JB596 of 100 Squadron. The crash occurred on 17 December 1943, part of the notorious 'Black Thursday' Berlin raid when thick fog caused heavy losses among returning crews.
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial: Hatcliffe Top Lancaster Memorial dedicated to fallen WWII aviator.
IWM memorial reference 51672Part of Black Thursday losses 16-17 December 194325 Lancasters lost on Berlin operation plus 31 more on return due to fog
GeographRetrieved 2026-03-23
Photographic record of the memorial stone at Hatcliffe Top showing it incorporates a piece of the aircraft's skin and relics from the crash. The Lancaster hit a tree close to the memorial site and crashed into the pine trees behind.
What you'll find: Explore photographic documentation of a Lancaster Memorial at Hatcliffe Top in Lancaster, featuring an aircraft skin fragment and crash remnants.
Memorial incorporates aircraft skin fragmentAircraft hit treetop before crashing into pine plantation
CWGCRetrieved 2026-03-23
CWGC records confirm crew details for the Black Thursday losses. The pilot Flg Off. Robert Laval Proudfoot was aged 24. Four crew were killed (Proudfoot, Sgt Sidney David Viggers aged 19, Sgt John Bamford aged 23, Sgt Bernard Heaton aged 21) while three crew survived with serious injuries. A farm worker was severely burned rescuing survivors from the blaze.
What you'll find: CWGC records detailing Memorial: Hatcliffe Top Lancaster's crew fatalities on Black Thursday.
Pilot aged 24Three crew survived with serious injuriesFarm worker burned during rescue attemptFlight engineer Viggers was only 19
Related Memorial
Nearby Memorials
Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (retrieved 2026-03-23)
CWGC (retrieved 2026-03-23)
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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