Bomber Command Memorial Register

Little Yeldham Wellington Memorial

Little Yeldham, Essex

Partial Record
Approximate location?

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Location

Little Yeldham, Essex, Essex

what3words: ///commands.alert.poets

Aircraft & Operation Details

Aircraft Type
Wellington
Serial Number
HF471
Squadron
30 OTU
Station
Hixon
Date of Loss
1944-04-11

Crew

7 killed including Plt Off. Charles Henry Gale

Memorial Details

Type
Monument

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Little Yeldham Parish Council

Local Contacts

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

Wickford & District Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Little Yeldham Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Yorkshire AircraftRetrieved 2026-03-23

Records Wellington HF471 of 30 OTU as having crashed during a training flight. One crew member, Sgt Ronald Victor Smith (aged 21), was the wireless operator/air gunner and was buried at Little Yeldham Churchyard, Essex -- suggesting the aircraft crashed in or near the village. Plt Off Charles Henry Gale received his commission on 6 April 1944, shortly before the fatal flight.

Sgt Ronald Victor Smith aged 21, buried Little Yeldham ChurchyardGale commissioned 6 April 1944, days before crash

The Midlands Aircraft Recovery Group's 1944 crash list includes Wellington HF471 among the training losses from 30 OTU at RAF Hixon in Staffordshire. The unit suffered significant attrition during the training programme, with crashes occurring across a wide area of central and eastern England.

Listed in MARG 1944 crash records30 OTU based at RAF Hixon, Staffordshire

Sources

  • Geograph Essex(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Yorkshire Aircraft (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Archaeology (Midlands) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-21

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Colchester Lancaster Memorial
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Ardleigh II Memorial
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This record for Little Yeldham Wellington Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.

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