Vickers Wellington T2834
0.1 miles away
Lincolnshire
North Rauceby T.2834 Memorial
North Rauceby, Lincolnshire
Partial Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Rauceby Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
North Rauceby, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///curiosity.remembers.movie
What Happened
Wellington T.2834 was on a training flight from RAF Cranwell when it came down near North Rauceby, Lincolnshire, on 20 April 1942. The aircraft, assigned to 3 OTU, was under the command of Pilot Officer Henry Eric Rath, aged 21. The crash was recorded as a training accident, though no specific cause is documented. Five of the six crew members were killed: Pilot Officer Rath, Sergeant Ernest A. Hoagg, Sergeant John H. Lewis, Sergeant Walter Gavin, and Sergeant Leslie J. Hill. The outcome for the sixth crew member, Sergeant Douglas J. Roberts, remains unknown. Sergeant John H. Lewis, the observer, was 31 — the eldest among the crew members whose ages are recorded.
Community Connection
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Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Wellington T.2834
Squadron
3 OTU
Station
Cranwell
Date of Loss
1942-04-20
Crew (6 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Rauceby Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
North Hykeham Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Rauceby Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrewremembered.comRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of the loss of Wellington T2834 from No. 3 Coastal Operational Training Unit at RAF Cranwell on 20 April 1942. P/O Henry Eric Rath (J/6686 RCAF, age 21) and Sgt Karl Morris Miegel (AUS/403480 RAAF, age 27) were conducting night circuit and landing practice when the aircraft flew into high ground near the vicarage at North Rauceby at 0120 hours.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Wellington T2834 loss incident at RAF Cranwell on April 20, 1942.
P/O Rath was RCAF, age 21Sgt Miegel was RAAF, age 27Night circuit and landing practiceCrashed near vicarage at 0120 hrsNo. 3 Coastal OTURath buried in Cranwell Churchyard (St Andrew), Plot 3 Row E Grave 1
RAF Commands ArchiveRetrieved 2026-03-23
RAF Commands archive entry providing official records for Wellington T2834 and the circumstances of the training accident at North Rauceby.
What you'll find: Explore Official Records of Wellington T2834 Training Accident at North Rauceby.
Official RAF record archived
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
RAF Commands Archive (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
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 North Rauceby T.2834 Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
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