Handley Page Halifax HX351
0.8 miles away
Antrim
Little Atwick Halifax Memorial
Little Atwick, East Riding of Yorkshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Atwick Parish Council.
Type
Physical memorial
Inscription
IN LOVING MEMORY [crew names inscribed on memorial] 158 SQD R.A.F. Who Perished Here 20th February 1944
LocationApproximate Location
Little Atwick, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
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What Happened
On the night of 19/20 February 1944, Halifax HX351 of 158 Squadron took off from RAF Lissett bound for Leipzig as part of a large Bomber Command raid. Disaster struck shortly after take-off when the aircraft crashed at Little Atwick, East Riding of Yorkshire, with the loss of all seven crew members. The cause is believed to have been loss of control following cloud entry, possibly compounded by tailplane structural issues. Pilot Officer Peter Milton Jennings, aged 28, was killed alongside his crew: Charles Joseph Seymour, Norman Caffery, Harold Elfed Jones, George Frank Gillings, Samual Price 'Jack' Morris, and Gerald Robert Fitzsimmons. The crew were experienced, having completed 23 operations together since joining 158 Squadron at Lissett in July 1943. Among them, Jones was from Penmaenmawr, Caernarvonshire, and Morris had trained in Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Community Connection
The image of this memorial was created and shared by Jo Jameson.
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
Atwick Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Hornsea & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Atwick Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
158 Squadron AssociationRetrieved 2026-03-23
The 158 Squadron Association maintains a memorial page for P/O Jennings and his crew. Halifax HX351 (coded NP-S) departed Lissett at 00:06 on 20 February 1944 for an operational flight to Leipzig. Nine minutes later the aircraft crashed into a field between Atwick and Bewholme. The climb after takeoff was normal until the aircraft entered cloud at about 2,000 feet, after which it was heard in a dive with engines running before impact.
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial of Little Atwick Halifax, honoring P/O Jennings and crew from 158 Squadron Association.
Aircraft coded NP-SDeparted 00:06 for Leipzig operationCrashed 9 minutes after takeoff823 aircraft detailed for Leipzig that night, 78 failed to return
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online registers the Halifax HX351 NP-S memorial of 158 Squadron at RAF Lissett, confirming its status and location near Little Atwick.
What you'll find: Halifax's war memorial history for 158 Squadron at RAF Lissett on War Memorials Online.
Memorial reference 258620
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM registers the Halifax HX351 158 Squadron memorial, confirming its location and the commemoration of the seven crew members killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Lissett.
What you'll find: Explore the Halifax HX351 158 Squadron Memorial honoring seven crew members who tragically perished in a crash near Lissett.
IWM memorial reference 34867
Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23
Detailed accident record for Halifax HX351. The investigation found the cause inconclusive but suggested the pilot may have lost control after entering cloud, possibly resulting in a tailplane structural failure, though this could not be proved. The full bombload exploded on impact, scattering the aircraft across a large area.
What you'll find: Explore detailed Halifax HX351 accident report from Yorkshire Aircraft, revealing potential loss of control due to cloud entry and tailplane structure issues.
Cause inconclusive -- possible loss of control in cloudPossible tailplane structural failureFull bombload exploded on impact
Nearby Memorials
Sources
158 Squadron Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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