Bleasby Air Crash Memorial

War Grave section at Newark Cemetery

Howard Heeley

Bleasby War Memorial St Marys Church

Ken Ogilvie

By Howard Heeley

Being involved in the preparation of various aviation booklets that chart the county’s diverse aviation history, has led me to various different locations across the county and enabled me to meet a variety of different people.

It has also led to contact with local residents who are looking to mark the aviation events that have been a part of or, shaped their local community. Recently I was approached by Ken Ogilvie from Bleasby who has been researching a number of air crashes around the village. He is now leading a fund raising effort to fund a memorial to the Bleasby crashes.

The village is located close to the banks of the river Trent and under the approaches to two of RAF Syerston’s runways. The incidents that will be commemorated are losses that occurred during World War II and mainly involved aircraft and crews from Nottinghamshire airfields. The following information that provides brief details about the incidents has been researched by Ken and more details can be found on the village website at http://bleasbyvillage.org.uk/

Vickers Wellington R1014

304 (Land of Silesia) Polish Bomber Squadron, RAF Syerston

6th February, 1941 – crashed shortly after take-off on training flight – Station Farm, near Station Road, Bleasby, killing all crew members; who are buried in the Polish War Grave section of Newark Cemetery.

Avro Lancaster JB132

61 Squadron, RAF Syerston

1st September, 1943 – mid-air collision with Lancaster R5698, whilst returning from Berlin raid, over High Cross, Bleasby, Nottinghamshire, killing all crew members; four crew members buried in the War Grave section of Newark Cemetery.

Avro Lancaster R5698

1654 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF Wigsley

1st September, 1943 – mid-air collision whilst on night training flight with Lancaster JB132 over High Cross, Bleasby, killing all crew members.

It is anticipated that the cost of erecting a stone memorial with three plaques inlaid into it would be in the region of £5,000. So far just short of £1,000 has been raised and the village has some ideas for further fundraising which will be developed in the New Year.

A Gift Aid form can also be downloaded from the website for anyone who may wish to make a donation. Monetary donations can also be left at the village public house, The Waggon and Horses.

The villagers have already raised the money for the existing War Memorial renovation, and this includes the addition of the name of Wing Cdr William Graham, from the village who was lost over Germany on 9th May 1941, whilst flying a Wellington from 304 (Land of Silesia) Polish Bomber Squadron at RAF Syerston.