Short Stirling EF127
1.7 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Grimston Hill Wellington MS471 Memorial
Grimston Hill, Wellow, Nottinghamshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
This memorial at raf ossington site was dedicated on 2022. Memorial at former RAF Ossington site, in Wellow parish area. The memorial is in good condition.
Type
Memorial at RAF Ossington site
Dedication Date
2022
Condition
Good
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Grimston Hill, Wellow, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
what3words: ///faded.belt.hydration
What Happened
Returning from a cross-country training exercise, the Wellington's starboard engine failed. Pilot P/O Adams, unable to maintain height on one engine, attempted a forced landing but stalled while trying to clear telegraph poles, crashing into a cornfield. Police Sergeant Ernest John Thomas Flinders, who happened to be nearby on leave, sprinted across fields and pulled crew members from the burning wreckage despite exploding ammunition. He was awarded the British Empire Medal. F/O Frank Graham-Bell was a distinguished painter and art critic for the New Statesman. Canadian P/O Herbert Ibbott has a lake in northern Manitoba named in his honour.
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
Peace Through StrengthAircraft Type
Vickers Wellington X
Serial Number
MS471
Aircraft Code
KA:G
Squadron
82 Operational Training UnitStation
RAF Ossington
Date of Loss
1943-08-09
Operation Type
Training
Target
Cross-country exercise
Cause of Loss
Starboard engine failure; stall on attempted forced landing
Crew (5 members)
About the Crew
P/O Walter Waldron Adams(age 24)Pilot
From Bournemouth
Killed when the Wellington stalled while trying to clear telegraph poles during a forced landing attempt. Adams had only 18 hours of daytime Wellington flying experience and no recorded night experience.
A 24-year-old trainee pilot with limited Wellington experience. He was unable to maintain height on one engine after the starboard engine failed.
F/O Fg Off Frank Graham-Bell(age 32)Observer
From London
Killed in the crash. Graham-Bell was a distinguished painter and art critic for the New Statesman magazine, a notable cultural loss.
Frank Graham-Bell (1910-1943) was a distinguished painter and art critic who wrote for the New Statesman. At 32, he was the eldest crew member. His death represented a significant loss to the British art world.
P/O Herbert Ibbott(age 21)Bomb Aimer
Killed in the crash. Ibbott was a Canadian whose memory lives on -- a lake in northern Manitoba is named in his honour.
A 21-year-old Canadian serving with the RCAF. Ibbott Lake in northern Manitoba is named in his memory.
Sgt Roland Walter Ballauff(age 21)Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Killed in the crash at Grimston Hill.
Sgt Peter Baldwin(age 19)Rear Air Gunner
Killed in the crash. At 19, Baldwin was the youngest crew member.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Wellow Parish Council
Memorial at former RAF Ossington site, in Wellow parish area.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Southwell Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Wellow Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Page for P/O Walter Waldron Adams and crew of Wellington MS471 KA:G, 82 OTU. On 9 August 1943, the aircraft's starboard engine failed during a cross-country training exercise. The pilot attempted a forced landing but stalled trying to clear telegraph poles, crashing into a cornfield at Grimston Hill.
What you'll find: Memorial details for P/O Walter Waldron Adams and crew of Wellington MS471 KA:G from Aircrew Remembered.
Police Sergeant Ernest Flinders was on leave nearby and pulled crew from the burning wreckage despite exploding ammunition, earning the British Empire Medal. F/O Frank Graham-Bell was a distinguished painter and art critic for the New Statesman. Canadian P/O Herbert Ibbott has a lake in northern Manitoba named in his honour.
Newark AdvertiserRetrieved 2026-03-23
Newspaper article marking 80 years since the Wellington MS471 crash at Grimston Hill. Details the heroism of PS Flinders and the stories of the crew, including the notable backgrounds of Graham-Bell (artist/critic) and Ibbott (Canadian whose name lives on in Manitoba geography).
What you'll find: Read about the heroic rescue efforts following the 80-year-old Wellington MS471 crash site at Grimston Hill.
80th anniversary commemoration. Pilot Adams had only 18 hours of daytime Wellington flying experience and no night experience recorded. Memorial at former RAF Ossington site dedicated in 2022.
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Newark Advertiser (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
Suggest a correction or addition