Wellington Crash Memorial, Ford, Dinton

On the night of 9 January 1944 a Wellington took off from RAF Upper Heyford on a routine training flight for bombing practice. The starboard engine failed during the flight. The pilot ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft and five of the six aboard baled out successfully at approximately 01:55. The aircraft came down at Moat Farm, Ford, near Dinton, demolishing a wall and the side of a barn. Sgt Louis Grover Martin, a 22-year-old Canadian rear gunner from Big River, Saskatchewan, was found dead in the farmyard — he had been unable to escape from his turret before impact. Sgt Victor George Bailey, 20, a wireless operator from Rainham, Essex, had baled out but his parachute deployed too low; he was found dead beneath it at a location called the Biggin. The remaining four crew, including the pilot P/O Chenier, survived. The serial number and full unit designation of the aircraft have not been recovered from available open sources.

Memorial erected by the local Ford/Dinton community. Anniversary unveiling ceremony held 9 January 2004.

Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.