Lancaster DS837 Memorial, Yearsley

DS837 was one of 483 Lancasters sent to Berlin on the night of 15/16 December 1943 in what crews later called 'Black Thursday' — a night when thick cloud over Germany forced sky-marking, accuracy was poor, and the return flight in deteriorating weather cost further lives beyond those lost over the target. DS837 was returning to its base at RAF Linton-on-Ouse when, descending through cloud and fog, it struck high ground near Yearsley, north of York. Six of the seven crew were killed. The sole survivor, Sgt Gordon Fortier, was thrown clear or survived the impact sufficiently to be taken to hospital. He recovered, was retrained as an instructor in Canada, and eventually returned to operations with 432 Squadron in late 1944, completing five more sorties before the war ended. He died in 2004 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His daughter, Mrs Trish Best, attended the memorial dedication in 2011 and flew from Canada for the ceremony. The five RCAF crew killed alongside S/Ldr Kneale are buried together in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. P/O Robert Marks, RAFVR, was the sole British crew member. Local historian David Smith led the research that identified the crew and located surviving family members in Canada.

Memorial organised by local researchers David Smith, Penny Johnston, and David Crane, who identified the crew and traced surviving family in Canada. Dedication service held 8 May 2011 at Holy Trinity Church, Yearsley. Sgt Fortier's daughter, Mrs Trish Best, flew from Canada to attend. Canadian High Commission represented by Colonel Paul Keddy.

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