Handley Page Halifax's BB373 and JB874
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Antrim
Hull Bridge Halifax Mid-Air Collision Memorial
Hull Bridge (1), East Riding of Yorkshire
Good Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Tickton and Routh Parish Council.
Type
Mid-Air Collision Memorial
Inscription
Dedicated to the Aircrew of 78 Squadron Who Lost Their Lives Following a Collision in Fog Between Two Halifax Bombers BB373 Ey-k - JBB874 Ey-e Over Hull Bridge, Tickton at 04:30 Hours on 24th August 1943 [crew Names Inscribed on Memorial] One Remaining Survivor [crew names listed on memorial]
LocationApproximate Location
Hull Bridge (1), East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
what3words: ///according.successor.committee
What Happened
Returning from a bombing raid on Berlin in the early hours of 24th August 1943, the crew of Halifax JB874 faced repeated diversion orders as they neared Yorkshire — directed first to Leconfield, then re-diverted again to Hutton Cranswick. At 04:30hrs, JB874 collided with a second 78 Squadron aircraft, Halifax BB373, over Hull Bridge and came down approximately two miles north-east of Beverley. Six of the seven men aboard JB874 were killed, two of them possibly dying of injuries rather than on impact. The dead included pilot Flying Officer Charles James Keirl, aged 23, navigator Flying Officer Harry William Baylis, aged 25, and bomb aimer Sergeant Henry Raymond Jones, aged just 21. One crew member survived. A memorial near the crash site commemorates those lost that night.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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 (16 members)
About the Crew
Sgt (survivor from JB874)
One of the seven crew aboard JB874 survived the collision
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Tickton and Routh Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Beverley Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Tickton and Routh Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23
Halifax JB874 (coded EY-E) of 78 Squadron collided with Halifax BB373 (EY-K) at 04:30 on 24 August 1943 over Hull Bridge, Tickton, 2 miles NE of Beverley. Both crews had bombed Berlin and were being diverted -- first to Leconfield, then to Hutton Cranswick. Six of the seven crew of JB874 were killed; one survived. This was a disastrous night for 78 Squadron, which lost five aircraft and thirty-one airmen.
What you'll find: Explore Halifax Memorial's tragic story: two bombers collided at Hull Bridge in 1943 during bombing missions to Berlin.
Aircraft coded EY-EMid-air collision at 04:30Diverted from Leconfield to Hutton Cranswick78 Squadron lost five aircraft and 31 airmen that nightOne survivor from JB874
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM registers the memorial to the aircrew of 78 Squadron killed in the collision over Tickton on 24 August 1943. The memorial commemorates both crews from the two Halifax bombers that collided.
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial: Hull Bridge (1) Halifax Memorial honoring fallen aircrew at IWM War Memorials Register.
IWM memorial reference 98870Covers both Halifax crews
CWGCRetrieved 2026-03-23
CWGC features a story about Pilot Officer Edward Platt, navigator aboard one of the 78 Squadron aircraft lost that night, providing verified service records and burial details for the casualties of this tragic collision.
What you'll find: Detailed accounts of fallen heroes at Halifax Memorial on Hull Bridge via CWGC's comprehensive online archive.
CWGC verified service records for crew
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online records the 78 Squadron memorial, noting its location near the Crown and Anchor pub at Hull Bridge, close to the crash site.
What you'll find: The 78 Squadron Memorial at Hull Bridge, Halifax, near Crown & Anchor pub, in proximity to crash site.
Memorial near Crown and Anchor pub, Hull Bridge
Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23
Halifax BB373 (coded EY-K) of 78 Squadron collided with Halifax JB874 (EY-E) in fog at 04:30 on 24 August 1943 over Hull Bridge, Tickton. All eight crew aboard BB373 were killed. The collision occurred after both aircraft, returning from bombing Berlin, were diverted first to Leconfield and then redirected to Hutton Cranswick.
What you'll find: Explore Halifax Memorial commemorating aircraft loss from tragic 1943 collision at Hull Bridge.
Aircraft coded EY-KAll eight crew killed, no survivorsCollision in fogDouble diversion contributed to accident
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM registers the combined memorial for both 78 Squadron Halifax crews lost in the Tickton collision. Of the 15 men on board the two aircraft, only one survived.
What you'll find: The poignant Memorial honoring 78 Squadron Halifax crew members who perished in the Tickton collision.
IWM memorial reference 9887014 of 15 total aircrew killed
HU17.net (Beverley News)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Local news report from 2013 covering the dedication of a memorial plaque honouring the Halifax bomber crews from 78 Squadron who died in the mid-air collision over Tickton. The article provides community context and details of the memorial ceremony.
What you'll find: Dedication ceremony for Halifax bomber crews' memorial plaque at Hull Bridge (2) commemorates fallen heroes from 78 Squadron's tragic mid-air collision over Tickton in 2013.
Memorial plaque dedicated 2013Local community involvement in commemoration
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
CWGC (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
HU17.net (Beverley News) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Geograph (website)
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.
Suggest a correction or additionCan You Help Complete This Record?
This record for Hull Bridge Halifax Mid-Air Collision Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
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