Weasenham R.A.F. Aircrew WW II
0.1 miles away
Norfolk
Weasenham St. Peter (three crashes commemorated) Mitchell Memorial
Weasenham St. Peter (three crashes commemorated), Norfolk
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Weasenham Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stones
Inscription
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LocationApproximate Location
Weasenham St. Peter (three crashes commemorated), Norfolk, Norfolk
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What Happened
Flying wartime sorties over Norfolk, crews from 114, 98, and 342 (Lorraine) Squadrons were lost in three separate crashes at Weasenham St. Peter between 1942 and 1943. The aircraft — a Bristol Blenheim, a Mitchell, and a Boston — went down in circumstances not recorded in surviving documentation. Pilot Officer John Graham, aged 21, was among those killed, alongside Sergeant Michael Beaufoy, aged 19, and Sergeant Leslie Harrowell, aged 22. Multiple crew members died across the three incidents, and the fates of some personnel remain unconfirmed. A memorial at Weasenham St. Peter now stands in remembrance of all those lost.
Community Connection
A local farmer was killed in the Boston AL285 crash on 22 May 1943.
Remembrance
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
With speed I strikeAircraft Type
Blenheim L.8800 / Mitchell
Serial Number
FL206 / Boston AL285
Squadron
114 Squadron, 98 Squadron, 342 (Lorraine) Squadron (Free French)
Date of Loss
1942-1943
Crew (11 members)
About the Crew
Sergeant Frank Oswald CookePilot
Aircraft: Blenheim L8800. Crash: 1942-06-05
Sergeant Jack Mayne WallbridgeObserver
Aircraft: Blenheim L8800. Crash: 1942-06-05
Flight Sergeant Eric KitcherWireless Op/Air Gunner
Aircraft: Blenheim L8800. Crash: 1942-06-05
Sergeant Donald Charles TannerPilot
Aircraft: Mitchell FL206. Crash: 1942-10-17
Sergeant Eric Herbert Boreham
Aircraft: Mitchell FL206. Crash: 1942-10-17
Sergeant Leonard Harlow HortonAir Gunner
Aircraft: Mitchell FL206. Crash: 1942-10-17
LAC Frank Ernest Barnett
Aircraft: Mitchell FL206. Crash: 1942-10-17
Lieutenant Marcel Alexis Le BivicPilot
Aircraft: Boston AL285. Crash: 1943-05-22
Lieutenant Roland Robert JacquinotObserver/Navigator
Aircraft: Boston AL285. Crash: 1943-05-22
Sergeant Léonce CohenWireless Operator
Aircraft: Boston AL285. Crash: 1943-05-22
Corporal John DesertlauxChief Photographer
Aircraft: Boston AL285. Crash: 1943-05-22
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Weasenham Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Litcham Tittishall & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Weasenham Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aviation TrailsRetrieved 2026-03-23
The pyramid memorial at Weasenham St Peter commemorates 11 airmen from three separate crashes. Blenheim L8800 of 114 Sqn crashed on 5 June 1942 killing three crew; Mitchell FL206 of 98 Sqn crashed on 17 October 1942 killing four; and Boston AL285 of 342 (Lorraine) Sqn crashed on 22 May 1943 killing four Free French aircrew.
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial: Weasenham St. Peter (three crashes commemorated) Mitchell Memorial dedicated to fallen aviators from Aviation Trails source.
Memorial is a pyramid-shaped stoneBlenheim crew included Sgt Eric Kitcher, whose daughter Margaret Hennessy later researched the crashMitchell FL206 crew: Flt Sgt D. Tanner, Sgt E. Boreham, Sgt L. Horton, LAC F. BarnettBoston AL285 crew were Free French: Lt M. Le Bivic, Lt R. Jacquinot, Sgt L. Cohen, Cpl J. DesertlauxWeasenham Aircrew Memorial Group formed to create lasting tributeVillagers had placed small wooden crosses and read names on Remembrance Day
Roll of HonourRetrieved 2026-03-23
The Roll of Honour website lists the RAF crews who died in the three crashes at Weasenham St Peter, Norfolk. It provides names and service details for all 11 airmen killed across the three incidents between June 1942 and May 1943.
What you'll find: Explore the Roll of Honour website to discover RAF crews' names and service details from three Weasenham St Peter crashes in Norfolk.
Comprehensive listing of all crew names across three crashesAll crashes occurred within a mile of the village
AerostelesRetrieved 2026-03-23
French-language memorial site documenting the Boston AL285 crash of 342 (Lorraine) Squadron at Weasenham St Peters on 22 May 1943. The crew were Free French Air Force personnel who died serving with the RAF.
What you'll find: Explore detailed documentation and memorials for three tragic crashes of the Boston AL285 crash in Weasenham St. Peter.
Dedicated French memorial page for the Lorraine Squadron crewDocuments the Free French dimension of the Weasenham memorial
Norfolk Heritage ExplorerRetrieved 2026-03-23
Norfolk Historic Environment Record entry for the Bristol Blenheim L8800 crash site at Weasenham. Records the archaeological and heritage significance of the crash location near the village school.
What you'll find: Explore historical memorial commemorating three crashes at Weasenham St. Peter, including Bristol Blenheim L8800 incident site.
Official Norfolk heritage record for the Blenheim crash siteCrash occurred behind the village school
GeographRetrieved 2026-03-23
Geograph article on East Anglia WW2 aircrew crash memorials includes the Weasenham St Peter pyramid memorial among the Norfolk entries, providing photographic documentation and grid reference.
What you'll find: Historical photographs of Memorial: Weasenham St. Peter (three crashes commemorated) Mitchell Memorial on Geograph.
Part of wider East Anglia crash memorials surveyPhotographic record of the memorial
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aviation Trails (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Roll of Honour (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aerosteles (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Norfolk Heritage Explorer (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-13
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