Bomber Command Memorial Register

Pocklington Lancaster Memorial

Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire

Partial 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.

Location

Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire

what3words: ///prove.notch.feasting

Narrative

On the evening of 29 March 1943, the crew of Halifax JB848 were detailed for a major operation against Berlin. The aircraft began its takeoff run from Pocklington airfield but during the climb-out the pilot lost control. The Halifax stalled, turned onto its back and crashed in a catastrophic explosion near Thirsk's Mill and Pocklington School at West Green, just outside the airfield boundary. All crew were killed instantly in the resulting fireball. The crash site remained undisturbed for over 70 years until 2014, when excavation work for a new doctors' surgery uncovered a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine and various aircraft parts. The discovery prompted local residents to recover, clean and restore the engine, which was subsequently installed as a memorial to the crew.

Aircraft & Operation Details

50 Squadron badgeFrom defence to attack
Aircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ED393
Squadron
50 Squadron
Station
Skellingthorpe
Date of Loss
1943-11-26
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Operational -- bombing Berlin
Cause of Loss
Pilot lost control on takeoff; aircraft stalled, inverted and crashed

Crew

5 killed (2 survived injured); 2 civilians also killed; pilot Plt Off. Joseph Watson Thompson, DFM

Memorial Details

Type
Memorial bench and crash site marker

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Pocklington Town Council

Local Contacts

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

Pocklington Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Pocklington Town Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23

IWM War Memorials Register entry for the crew of Lancaster Bomber ED393 memorial at Pocklington. Records the stone of remembrance dedicated by HH 'Charlie' Ross, a witness to the crash.

IWM memorial reference 99090Dedicated by crash witness HH 'Charlie' Ross

Detailed account of Lancaster ED393 VN-K of 50 Squadron. The aircraft diverted from fog-bound Lincolnshire to Yorkshire on return from Berlin, lost height in landing circuit and crashed at Canal Head, Pocklington, destroying the Canal Head public house and cottages on Ramsdale Terrace.

Aircraft code VN-KDiverted due to fog over LincolnshireCrashed at Canal Head destroying public house and cottagesCrashed during landing circuit

Squadron association memorial page for ED393 VN-K at Pocklington. Provides detailed context from the squadron's perspective, including the Berlin operation that night and the diversion circumstances.

Listed on squadron association memorial pagePart of 50 Squadron's Berlin operations November 1943

Pocklington History GroupRetrieved 2026-03-23

Local history group research into wartime aircraft crashes around Pocklington, including the ED393 crash at Canal Head. Provides community perspective on the impact of multiple crashes on the town during the war.

Local history group maintains detailed crash recordsMultiple wartime crashes documented around Pocklington

Sources

  • Geograph / IWM (memorial/99090)(website)

Credits & Acknowledgements

Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Heritage sources
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Pocklington History Group (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Last updated 2026-03-22

Nearby Memorials

Garrowby Hill area aircraft Memorial
Garrowby Hill area, Pennines (North)Various Bomber Command aircraftWW2
8.1 km
away
Balkholme (1) Halifax Memorial
Balkholme (1), East Riding of YorkshireHalifax1944-07-21
20.9 km
away
Balkholme (2) Halifax Memorial
Balkholme (2), East Riding of YorkshireHalifax1944-07-21
20.9 km
away
Hull Bridge (1) Halifax Memorial
Hull Bridge (1), East Riding of YorkshireHalifax1943-08-24
26.1 km
away
Hull Bridge (2) Halifax Memorial
Hull Bridge (2), East Riding of YorkshireHalifax1943-08-24
26.1 km
away

Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.

Suggest a correction or addition

Can You Help Complete This Record?

This record for Pocklington Lancaster Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.

Email admin@bombermemorial.co.uk or contribute directly via our GitHub repository