Vickers Wellington BK517
0.0 miles away
Oxfordshire
Bodicote Wellington Memorial
Bodicote, Cherwell, Oxfordshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
This large block of hornton stone with engraved bronze plaque and raf insignia, enclosed by circular metal railing fence was dedicated on June 2012. Memorial stone with RAF insignia, enclosed by circular metal railing fence.
Type
Large block of Hornton stone with engraved bronze plaque and RAF insignia, enclosed by circular metal railing fence
Dedication Date
June 2012
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Bodicote, Cherwell, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire
what3words: ///crackled.village.rhino
What Happened
On 28 December 1942, the Wellington took off from Atherstone-on-Stour for what should have been a routine 25-minute air test. The flight was described as an Air Test (Medical), suggesting F/O Byrne was demonstrating fitness to fly after illness or injury. The experienced pilot and five crew members climbed into cloud. Witnesses in Bodicote village saw the aircraft flying westwards extremely low with one engine smoking. The Wellington clipped its wing on an elm tree and crashed into the valley a quarter of a mile west of the village. All six men were killed. The official accident card noted the aircraft had "flown into cloud without a wireless operator" — suggesting the crew may have been flying with a depleted complement and unable to obtain weather or navigational assistance. The wreckage was later investigated by the Midland Aircraft Recovery Group, who found the crash site on private land west of Bodicote Church.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
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
Aircraft Type
Wellington
Serial Number
BK517
Squadron
23 OTU
Station
Pershore / Atherstone-on-Stour
Date of Loss
1942-12-28
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Engine fire; flew into cloud without wireless operator; crashed attempting forced landing
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
F/O John Gordon Byrne(age 22)Pilot
From Fulwood, Sheffield
Killed when Wellington BK517 clipped an elm tree and crashed west of Bodicote. Buried at Fulwood Churchyard with CWGC headstone inscribed 'I THANK MY GOD UPON EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF THEE'.
F/O Byrne was 22 years old, from Fulwood, Sheffield. He was the son of Armel and Annie Byrne, and was married to Beryl Jean Byrne of Millhouses, Sheffield.
AC2 John Ernest George Beaumont(age 19)Air Gunner
Killed in the crash of Wellington BK517 at Bodicote.
AC2 Granville Broadhurst(age 19)Air Gunner
Killed in the crash. Buried at Erdington Churchyard, Birmingham.
F/Sgt Fl/Sgt Jack Thompson McDonald(age 26)Observer
Killed in the crash. Canadian crew member buried at Middleton Stoney Churchyard, Oxfordshire.
F/Sgt William Thompson McMillan(age 26)Air Gunner
Killed in the crash of Wellington BK517.
LAC Leslie Hamilton Nicholson(age 20)Air Gunner
Killed in the crash. Buried at Rotherham Cemetery.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Bodicote Parish Council
Memorial stone with RAF insignia, enclosed by circular metal railing fence.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Oxford Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Bodicote Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM register records this as a memorial to the crew of Vickers Wellington BK517 which crashed at Bodicote on 28 December 1942. The memorial is a large block of Hornton stone with an engraved bronze plaque and RAF insignia.
What you'll find: Detailed Register Entry with Memorial Photo, Location, and Crew Information
IWM reference: memorial/63182Hornton stone memorial with RAF insignia badge
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of the crash of Wellington BK517 piloted by F/O John Gordon Byrne, age 22, of 23 OTU. The flight was described as an Air Test (Medical), suggesting Byrne was demonstrating fitness to fly. Byrne was the son of Armel and Annie Byrne of Fulwood, Sheffield.
What you'll find: Detailed crash account and personal background of Flying Officer John Gordon Byrne, 23 OTU pilot, at Bodicote Wellington Memorial.
Flight type: Air Test (Medical)Byrne aged 22, from Fulwood, SheffieldMarried to Beryl Jean Byrne of Millhouses, Sheffield
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online records the 1942 Wellington Bomber BK517 Air Crash memorial at Bodicote, Oxfordshire. The memorial was unveiled in June 2012 at a ceremony attended by relatives of the crew who died.
What you'll find: Detailed records of 1942 Wellington Bomber crash, including unveiling ceremony and crew tributes.
WMO reference: 230026Memorial unveiled June 2012
RAF CommandsRetrieved 2026-03-23
RAF Commands serial database entry for Wellington III BK517, confirming the aircraft serial and its loss record.
What you'll find: Detailed aircraft loss record and memorial confirmation for Wellington III BK517 at Bodicote, England.
Serial confirmed in RAF Commands database
Nearby Memorials
Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
RAF Commands (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM (memorial/63182) (database)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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