Bomber Command Memorial Register

Laxton Wellington Memorial

Laxton, 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

5d3548091f97e NZ Laxton 1 547x410
5d3548091f97e NZ Laxton 1 547x410, Credit: Tony Hibberd / War Memorials Online

Location

Laxton, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire

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Narrative

A winter afternoon training take-off from Ossington ended in tragedy. The Wellington hit an electrical pole near a stream just outside Laxton and burst into flames. The aircraft broke apart; the tail section — carrying rear gunner Sgt Eden — separated from the fuselage, saving his life. All four Canadian crew members were killed. Laxton is famous as England's last surviving open-field farming village, making this crash site uniquely located in a preserved medieval landscape. Two memorial stones were dedicated on 6 January 2013.

Aircraft & Operation Details

82 OTU badgePeace Through Strength
Aircraft Type
Wellington
Serial Number
LP841
Squadron
82 OTU
Station
Ossington
Date of Loss
1945-01-05
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Hit electrical pole near local stream; burst into flames

Crew (5 members)

RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
F/OJ.C. McLeodPilotCanadianKilled
Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryCWGC
F/OL.J. RobillardBomb AimerCanadianKilled
Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryCWGC
F/OE.E. FernandezNavigatorCanadianKilled
Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryCWGC
SgtE.A. BishopW/Op Air GunnerCanadianKilled
Harrogate (Stonefall) CemeteryCWGC
SgtR. EdenRear GunnerBritishSurvived

About the Crew

F/O J.C. McLeodPilot

From Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada

Canadian pilot from Minnedosa, Manitoba, training with 82 OTU at RAF Ossington.

F/O L.J. RobillardBomb Aimer

From Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Canadian airman from Toronto, Ontario, serving as bomb aimer with 82 OTU.

F/O E.E. FernandezNavigator

From Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Canadian navigator from Windsor, Ontario, training at 82 OTU.

Sgt E.A. BishopW/Op Air Gunner

From Carseland, Alberta, Canada

Canadian wireless operator/air gunner from Carseland, Alberta.

Sgt R. EdenRear Gunner

British rear gunner whose life was saved when the tail turret separated from the main fuselage. Villagers from Laxton helped him to safety after the crash.

Memorial Details

Type
Memorial stone

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Laxton and Moorhouse Parish Council

Local Contacts

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

Ollerton & District Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Laxton and Moorhouse Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23

War Memorials Online registers the memorial stone to the crew of 82 OTU Wellington LP841 at Laxton. The memorial was dedicated alongside a second stone in the church of St Michael the Archangel on 6 January 2013.

Memorial reference 265202Dedicated 6 January 2013Located at St Michael the Archangel church

Key Aero ForumRetrieved 2026-03-23

Forum discussion documenting the research and dedication of the Laxton memorial stones. Wellington LP841 crashed shortly after take-off at 5pm on 5 January 1945, hitting an electrical pole near a stream in a small valley. The tail section separated, allowing rear gunner Sgt Eden to survive with help from local villagers.

Crashed shortly after takeoff at 5pmVillagers led survivor Sgt Eden to safety

FighterControl ForumRetrieved 2026-03-23

Research discussion providing additional detail on the LP841 crash at Laxton, including the unique setting of England's last surviving open-field farming village and the two memorial stones -- one in the church and one by the roadside on Moorhouse Road overlooking the crash site.

Two memorial stones: one in church, one roadsideRoadside memorial on Moorhouse Road overlooks crash site

Sources

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Key Aero Forum (retrieved 2026-03-23)
FighterControl Forum (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-23

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