Waithe Lancaster Mid-Air Collision Memorial
1.5 miles away
Lincolnshire
North Thoresby Lancaster Memorial
North Thoresby, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by North Thoresby Parish Council.
Type
Memorial plaque
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
North Thoresby, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
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What Happened
On 4 October 1943, Lancaster ED583 of 100 Squadron departed RAF Waltham on a training operation and broke apart in the air due to structural failure, coming down near North Thoresby, Lincolnshire. The aircraft was piloted by Flying Officer Thomas H. Morgan, DFC, an American aged 23. All eight men aboard were killed, among them Sergeant John Hill Rogers, air bomber, who was just 19 years old. The crew also included Warrant Officer John Thomas Goozee, Sergeant Ralph Frederick Worsey, Sergeant Charles Alexander Green, Sergeant Walter Edward James Giles, Sergeant John Alexander Baker, and Sergeant William Frederick Bristow. There were no survivors.
Community Connection
The plaque was created and shared by Colin Murray, who is presumably an individual with a connection to the aircraft or its history.
Remembrance
An annual commemorative service is held on 11th November.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Sarang tebuan jangan dijolokAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ED583
Squadron
100 Sqdn.Station
Waltham/Grimsby
Date of Loss
1943-10-04
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Aircraft broke up in the air (structural failure)
Crew (8 members)
About the Crew
F/O Thomas H. Morgan(age 23)PilotDFC
Killed instantly when the Lancaster broke apart in mid-air over North Thoresby during an engine air test.
American exchange pilot serving with the USAAF, aged 23. Was gaining operational experience with RAF Bomber Command -- a reminder that Americans served and died alongside their British allies in Bomber Command aircraft.
W/O John Thomas Goozee(age 22)Pilot
Killed when the aircraft disintegrated in mid-air.
Warrant Officer serving with the RAFVR, aged 22. Second pilot aboard the aircraft.
Sgt Ralph Frederick Worsey(age 22)Pilot
Killed when the aircraft broke apart. One of three pilots aboard for the test flight.
Sergeant serving with the RAFVR, aged 22.
Sgt Charles Alexander Green(age 20)Flight Engineer
Killed when the aircraft disintegrated.
Flight engineer serving with the RAFVR, aged 20.
Sgt Walter Edward James GilesFlight Engineer
Killed when the aircraft broke apart.
Flight engineer serving with the RAFVR.
Sgt John Alexander BakerNavigator
Killed when the aircraft disintegrated.
Navigator serving with the RAF.
Sgt John Hill Rogers(age 19)Air Bomber
Killed when the aircraft broke apart. At 19, the youngest crew member.
Air bomber serving with the RAFVR, just 19 years old -- the youngest aboard. Born 1924.
Sgt William Frederick Bristow(age 22)W/Op Air Gunner
Killed when the aircraft disintegrated over the village.
Wireless operator/air gunner serving with the RAFVR, aged 22.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
North Thoresby Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Louth & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
North Thoresby Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrewremembered.comRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of Lancaster ED583 (HW-K) from 100 Squadron. The aircraft took off from RAF Grimsby at 1205 to air test the outer starboard engine. At approximately 1250 it broke up over North Thoresby, with debris demolishing the village chapel and damaging houses. F/O Thomas Morgan was a USAAF exchange pilot. All eight crew killed.
What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Lancaster ED583's tragic crash near North Thoresby.
Took off at 1205 hrs for engine air testBroke up at approximately 1250 hrsDebris destroyed village chapelMorgan was USAAF exchange pilot with DFCMemorial dedicated 4 September 2005
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
WMO entry for the North Thoresby memorials for Lancaster Bomber ED583, documenting the village green memorial and its condition.
What you'll find: The detailed documentation of North Thoresby's Lancaster bomber memorial on War Memorials Online.
WMO memorial reference 263918
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for the Lancaster ED583 of 100 Squadron memorial plaque at North Thoresby.
What you'll find: Explore Lancaster ED583's 100 Squadron memorial plaque at North Thoresby on Imperial War Museums' register.
IWM memorial reference 54038
Find a GraveRetrieved 2026-03-23
Find a Grave memorial for Sgt John Hill Rogers (1924-1943), the youngest crew member at age 19, buried at Upton (Holy Ascension) Churchyard.
What you'll find: Memorial: North Thoresby Lancaster Memorial's Find a Grave page for Sgt John Hill Rogers' grave site and tribute.
Rogers born 1924, died 4 October 1943Buried at Upton Holy Ascension Churchyard
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Find a Grave (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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