Bomber Command Memorial Register

Honeybourne area Whitley Memorial

Honeybourne area, Warwickshire

Partial 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.

Location

Honeybourne area, Warwickshire, Warwickshire

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Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Whitley
Serial Number
Z2639
Squadron
24 OTU
Station
RAF Honeybourne
Date of Loss
1943-06-02

Crew

Crew killed

Memorial Details

Type
Rough hewn stone of remembrance with plaque

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Honeybourne Parish Council

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Warwick Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Honeybourne Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Traces of WarRetrieved 2026-03-23

Traces of War documents a memorial at Broadway, Worcestershire to a Whitley bomber from 24 OTU that crashed on 2 June 1943 at 14:15 hours during operational training. Five crew members were killed: Flt/Sgt H.G. Hagen (pilot), Sgt R.S. Phillips (navigator), Flt/Sgt D.H. Kelly, Sgt D.A. Marriott, and Sgt G.E. Ekins.

Crash time recorded as 14:15 hoursFive crew killedMemorial located at Broadway, Worcestershire

Wartime Memories ProjectRetrieved 2026-03-23

The Wartime Memories Project documents RAF Honeybourne as the base for No. 24 OTU during WW2. The unit used Whitley bombers for training and suffered numerous losses in the surrounding countryside, including the Z2639 incident.

RAF Honeybourne documented as 24 OTU baseMultiple training losses recorded in area

Aviation ArchaeologyRetrieved 2026-03-23

Comprehensive record of personnel losses from No. 24 Operational Training Unit at Honeybourne, documenting the high attrition rate among training crews flying aging Whitley bombers in the Worcestershire and Warwickshire area.

Comprehensive personnel loss record for 24 OTUHigh training attrition documented

Sources

  • IWM (memorial/36469)(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Traces of War (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Wartime Memories Project (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Archaeology (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-21

Nearby Memorials

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Bodicote Wellington Memorial
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Chipping Warden (1) Wellington Memorial
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Chipping Warden (2) R.1037 Memorial
Chipping Warden (2), NorthamptonshireWellington R.10371941-10-20
38.5 km
away

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

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This record for Honeybourne area Whitley Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.

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