Bomber Command Memorial Register

Kirkley (Lowestoft) Halifax Memorial

Kirkley (Lowestoft), Suffolk

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

138 squadron halifax v ll356 nf u crew 1
138 squadron halifax v ll356 nf u crew 1, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
138 squadron halifax v ll356 nf u
138 squadron halifax v ll356 nf u, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
dedication ceremony in kensington gardens lowestoft uk may 2002 bench
dedication ceremony in kensington gardens lowestoft uk may 2002 bench, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
dedication ceremony in kensington gardens lowestoft uk may 2002
dedication ceremony in kensington gardens lowestoft uk may 2002, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
shrine of remembrance melbourne atvara special duties squadrons memorial plaque
shrine of remembrance melbourne atvara special duties squadrons memorial plaque, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
large shrine forecourt
large shrine forecourt, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
jill wilson
jill wilson, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
atvaras first melbourne shrine of remembrance wreath laying ceremony 14th july 2012
atvaras first melbourne shrine of remembrance wreath laying ceremony 14th july 2012, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
melbourne shrine of remembrance
melbourne shrine of remembrance, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
the runnymede memorial from the inside 4
the runnymede memorial from the inside 4, Credit: Aircrew Remembered
138 squadron halifax v ll356 nf u crew bench novemver 2014 1
138 squadron halifax v ll356 nf u crew bench novemver 2014 1, Credit: Aircrew Remembered

Location

Kirkley (Lowestoft), Suffolk, Suffolk

what3words: ///trash.spray.dices

Narrative

On 27 April 1944, Halifax LL356 of the highly secretive 138 (Special Duties) Squadron crashed at Kirkley, a suburb of Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast. No. 138 Squadron was one of RAF's clandestine units, based at Tempsford in Bedfordshire, tasked with dropping agents, supplies, and equipment to resistance movements across occupied Europe. Their operations were hazardous and rarely publicised. The circumstances of this crash -- with the aircraft coming down on the Suffolk coast, far from its Bedfordshire base -- suggest the Halifax may have been returning from or departing for a special operations mission. The pilot, Flight Sergeant George Herbert Williamson of the Royal Australian Air Force, and all six other crew members were killed.

Aircraft & Operation Details

138 (SD) Squadron badgeFor freedom
Aircraft Type
Halifax
Serial Number
LL356
Squadron
138 (SD) Squadron
Station
Tempsford
Date of Loss
1944-04-27
Operation Type
Special Operations
Cause of Loss
Hit by German flak over Eindhoven, Holland, while on mission to drop supplies to Belgian resistance. Aircraft listed as Missing on Operations.

Crew (7 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
F/SgtGeorge Herbert Williamson
AUS/414741
Pilot29AustralianKilled
Terschelling (Formerum) General Cemetery, NetherlandsCWGC
SgtGeorge Partridge Croad
1890979
Flight Engineer19BritishKilled
Runnymede Memorial, Panel 227CWGC
F/SgtHerbert Dootson
1032035
Navigator33BritishKilled
Runnymede Memorial, Panel 217CWGC
WO2Arthur John George Barnes
R/157147
Air Bomber22CanadianKilled
Runnymede Memorial, Panel 254CWGC
SgtHubert Francis Benbow
1046454
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner23BritishKilled
Runnymede Memorial, Panel 225CWGC
F/SgtEric Raymond Clayworth
AUS/423063
Air Gunner25AustralianKilled
Runnymede Memorial, Panel 260CWGC
F/SgtJames Ethelred Smythe
R/190191
Air Gunner21CanadianKilled
Runnymede Memorial, Panel 255CWGC

About the Crew

F/Sgt George Herbert Williamson(age 29)Pilot

From Australia

Australian pilot serving with the RAAF, aged 29 at the time of his death. He flew special operations missions dropping supplies to resistance movements in occupied Europe.

Sgt George Partridge Croad(age 19)Flight Engineer

The youngest crew member at just 19 years old, serving with the RAFVR as flight engineer on clandestine special operations missions.

F/Sgt Herbert Dootson(age 33)Navigator

At 33 years old, Dootson was the oldest crew member and an experienced navigator serving with the RAFVR.

WO2 Arthur John George Barnes(age 22)Air Bomber

Canadian airman serving with the RCAF, aged 22. One of two Canadians in the multinational crew.

Sgt Hubert Francis Benbow(age 23)Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

Served with the RAFVR as wireless operator and air gunner on special duties operations.

F/Sgt Eric Raymond Clayworth(age 25)Air Gunner

Australian airman serving with the RAAF, aged 25. One of two Australians aboard the aircraft.

F/Sgt James Ethelred Smythe(age 21)Air Gunner

Canadian airman serving with the RCAF, the youngest at 21. The crew represented four nations: Australia, Canada, and Britain.

Memorial Details

Type
Bowls club memorial seat with plaque

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Lowestoft Town Council

Local Contacts

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

Lowestoft Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Lowestoft Town Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Australian military heritage article documenting the crew of Halifax LL356 as a 'Special' Halifax bomber crew from 138 Squadron. Provides context on the squadron's clandestine SOE operations and the multinational nature of the crew.

SOE operations context providedMultinational crew documented

Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23

ASN records the accident of Halifax Mk V LL356 on 28 April 1944, confirming loss details and crew complement.

ASN accident record confirmedDate recorded as 28 April 1944 (post-midnight mission)

Roll of HonourRetrieved 2026-03-23

The Roll of Honour website lists all seven crew members of Halifax LL356 NF-U who were killed on the special operations mission. A memorial seat with plaque was dedicated at Kirkley Bowls Club, Lowestoft, with support from the RAFA Lowestoft Branch.

All seven crew listed by nameMemorial seat with RAFA support

Sources

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Roll of Honour (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

Nearby Memorials

Kessingland "Repulser" Memorial
Kessingland, SuffolkB-24 Liberator 41-28843 "Repulser"1944-04-22
4.9 km
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South Cove 42-51241 Memorial
South Cove, SuffolkB-24 Liberator 42-512411945-03-31
11.3 km
away
Henham Park (multiple incidents) 41-28590 Memorial
Henham Park (multiple incidents), SuffolkB-24 42-110033 "Arizona Rambler" and B-24 41-285901944-03-29
15.5 km
away
Reedham (mid-air collision) 42-31370 Memorial
Reedham (mid-air collision), NorfolkB-17 42-37963 and B-17 42-313701944-02-21
15.7 km
away
Blythburgh (PB4Y-1) Memorial
Blythburgh, SuffolkLiberator 42-110007 (PB4Y-1)1944-08-12
18.2 km
away

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