HP Hampden P1206
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Lincolnshire
Tattershall (1) Lancaster Memorial
Tattershall (1), Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Tattershall Parish Council.
Type
Bridge memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Tattershall (1), Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///wanderers.expropriate.spiders
What Happened
Lancaster W4175 (OF-U) had survived the long and dangerous round trip to Berlin -- one of the most heavily defended targets in Germany. The crew must have felt relief as they crossed the English coast and made for their home airfield. But tragedy struck at the last moment. While circling RAF Woodhall Spa preparing to land at 04:45 on 30 March 1943, the aircraft crashed onto the Tattershall and Coningsby Gas Works, killing all seven crew instantly. The cruel irony of surviving a Berlin raid only to die within sight of home was a fate that befell more Bomber Command crews than the popular narrative acknowledges. Many losses occurred during landing, in circuit, or on approach -- exhausted crews flying damaged aircraft in poor visibility after hours of operational stress.
Community Connection
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Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Achieve your aimAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
W4175
Squadron
97 Sqdn.Station
Woodhall Spa
Date of Loss
1943-03-30
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Returning from bombing raid on Berlin
Cause of Loss
Crashed while circling the airfield on return from Berlin at 04:45 hours
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
Fg Off Gordon Charles Wardlaw FrancisPilot
Killed instantly when the Lancaster crashed onto the Tattershall and Coningsby Gas Works at 04:45 while circling to land.
Pilot of Lancaster OF-U, 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron. Had successfully completed the dangerous round trip to Berlin before the fatal crash on approach.
Fg Off Peter Hilary NortonNavigator
Killed instantly in the crash on the gas works.
Navigator serving with 97 Squadron. Buried alongside his pilot at Coningsby Cemetery.
Sgt James Alexander PeelFlight Engineer
Killed instantly in the crash on the gas works.
Flight engineer serving with the RAFVR. Originally from Northern Ireland.
Sgt William StandringWireless Operator
Killed instantly in the crash on the gas works.
Wireless operator serving with 97 Squadron.
Sgt Ralph FrankAir Gunner
Killed instantly in the crash on the gas works.
Air gunner born 1917. Buried in the Jewish Cemetery at Wilford Hill, Nottingham.
Fl/Sgt Frederick Richard BirtwistleAir Gunner
Killed instantly in the crash on the gas works.
Air gunner serving with 97 Squadron.
Sgt William Henry WhitingBomb Aimer
Killed instantly in the crash on the gas works. Previously missing from some crew lists.
Bomb aimer serving with 97 Squadron. The seventh crew member, sometimes omitted from partial records.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Tattershall Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Coningsby, Tattershall & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Tattershall Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Lincolnshire Heritage ExplorerRetrieved 2026-03-23
Heritage record for the crash site of Lancaster W4175 at the Tattershall and Coningsby Gas Works. Documents the aircraft crashing while circling RAF Woodhall Spa after returning from a Berlin raid on 30 March 1943.
What you'll find: Explore Lancaster Memorial: Discover history of WWII aircraft crash site near Tattershall and Coningsby Gas Works.
Monument reference MLI125799. The heritage record notes the crash occurred on the gas works site. All seven crew killed.
Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23
Accident database entry for Avro Lancaster Mk I W4175 of 97 Squadron, recording the crash on 30 March 1943 at Tattershall while returning from operations.
What you'll find: Explore detailed accident report of Lancaster Mk I W4175 crash in Tattershall on 30th March 1943.
Aircraft designated OF-U. Based at RAF Woodhall Spa. Crashed on the gas works during circuit.
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
Registry entry for the memorial plaque on Butt's Bridge at Coningsby, commemorating the crews of both Lancaster W4175 (OF-U) and Lancaster PB422 (OF-P) of 97 Squadron.
What you'll find: The poignant registry entry honoring Lancaster aircraft crews in Tattershall's memorial plaque at Butt's Bridge on War Memorials Online.
Combined memorial on Butt's Bridge commemorates crews of two separate 97 Squadron crashes at Tattershall. Erected by the Royal British Legion Coningsby, Tattershall and District Branch.
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Lincolnshire Heritage Explorer (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
War Memorials Online - Memorial 264833 (website)
Aviation Safety Network - W4175 (website)
IBCC - Norton P (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
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