Short Stirling W7467
0.3 miles away
Cambridgeshire
Earith (mid-air collision) Stirling Memorial
Earith (mid-air collision), Cambridgeshire
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Earith Parish Council.
Type
Mid-air collision memorial
Inscription
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LocationApproximate Location
Earith (mid-air collision), Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire
what3words: ///legend.finger.gobbles
OS Grid Ref: TL3874
What Happened
On 17 January 1942, Stirling W7467 of 7 Squadron departed RAF Oakington when it was struck by a Hurricane from 56 Operational Training Unit just north of Earith Bridge, Cambridgeshire. The collision sent the Stirling diving into the ground to a depth of fifteen feet at the Haddenham Drain, where it burned for several days before the crater filled with water. All eight crew aboard the Stirling were killed, as was the Hurricane pilot, Pilot Officer Browne — nine dead in total. The remains of Sergeant McCarley and Sergeant Walter Mankelow could not be recovered from the flooded crater. In 1959, further remains were found during drainage work but could not be identified, and no relatives were contacted. The fate of Sergeant Mankelow's remains was never formally resolved.
Community Connection
Flagg, highlighting the community's connection to preserving war history through personal contributions.
Remembrance
Investigation(1996)
Charles Lofthouse conducted a thorough investigation on behalf of the family, approaching various institutions for information. No new leads were discovered.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Per diem per noctemAircraft Type
Stirling
Serial Number
W7467 and Hurricane V6865
Squadron
7 SquadronStation
Oakington / 56 OCU, Sutton Bridge
Date of Loss
1942-01-17
Crew (8 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Earith Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Earith, Bluntisham & Colne Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Earith Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Stirling Aircraft SocietyRetrieved 2026-03-23
Memorial page for Stirling W7467 of 7 Squadron. On 17 January 1942, the Stirling was rammed by Hurricane V6865 from 56 OTU during a mock attack north of Earith Bridge. The Stirling dived into the ground to a depth of 15 feet at Haddenham Drain. All eight Stirling crew and the Hurricane pilot killed.
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial page for Stirling W7467 at Stirling Aircraft Society's site.
Hurricane carried out mock attack on StirlingStirling buried 15 feet deep at Haddenham DrainRemains of Sgt Mankelow never recoveredMemorial erected 1999 by Parish Council and 7 Squadron Association
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museums register entry for the memorial to Stirling W7467 and its crew at Earith, Cambridgeshire. Nine personnel commemorated (eight Stirling crew plus Hurricane pilot P/O Browne).
What you'll find: Explore the Memorial: Earith (mid-air collision) Stirling, honoring nine personnel including Stirling crew and Hurricane pilot P/O Browne.
IWM memorial reference 46478Nine personnel commemorated
TracesOfWarRetrieved 2026-03-23
International memorial database entry for the aircraft collision memorial at Earith. Documents the mid-air collision between a 7 Squadron Stirling from Oakington and a Hurricane from 56 OCU Sutton Bridge.
What you'll find: The international memorial database entry for the Earith Stirling Memorial commemorating the tragic aircraft collision.
Stirling from RAF OakingtonHurricane from 56 OCU Sutton BridgeCollision north of Earith Bridge
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Stirling Aircraft Society (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
TracesOfWar (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Cambridgeshire (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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