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Halam Lancaster ED823 Memorial
Halam, Nottinghamshire
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
This stone memorial was erected by Andrew Paris and Tony Denyer (local residents) and dedicated on 10 April 2011. Memorial erected by local residents Andrew Paris and Tony Denyer. Parish council area. The memorial is in good condition.
Type
Stone memorial
Erected By
Andrew Paris and Tony Denyer (local residents)
Dedication Date
10 April 2011
Condition
Good
Inscription
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LocationApproximate Location
Halam, Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
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What Happened
Shortly after take-off, at 01.25, the aircraft flew into high-tension power cables and came down near School Lane, Halam, Nottinghamshire, eight miles from its base. The Lancaster was nearly new, with only twelve hours on the airframe and between twelve and twenty-two hours on its four Merlin engines. All seven crew members were killed: Flight Sergeant Leonard Wentworth Lean, the twenty-two-year-old Australian pilot; Sergeant Frank Dunkin; Flying Officer Edward Lambert; Sergeant Henry Utley Oxspring; Sergeant William Shearer Lyndsay Graham; Flight Sergeant Raymond David Lewis; and Sergeant William George Stephenson. The crash site now lies within Norwood Park Golf Course.
Community Connection
This image showcases a tribute to the WW2 bomber, likely serving as a community connection point for remembrance and reflection.
Remembrance
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
Avro Lancaster Mk.III
Serial Number
ED823
Squadron
1661 Heavy Conversion UnitStation
RAF Winthorpe
Date of Loss
1943-04-10
Operation Type
Training
Target
Night navigation exercise
Cause of Loss
Aircraft flew into high-tension power cables
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
Fl/Sgt Leonard Wentworth Lean(age 22)Pilot
Killed when the brand-new Lancaster struck the ground on an even keel with all engines under power, likely after hitting high-tension cables.
A 22-year-old Australian pilot from the RAAF, Lean was partway through his Heavy Conversion Unit course learning to fly four-engine bombers.
Sgt Frank Dunkin(age 21)Flight Engineer
Killed in the crash. Dunkin was a fellow Australian serving with the RAAF.
F/O Edward Lambert(age 34)Navigator
From Fleetwood, Lancashire
Killed in the crash. At 34, Lambert was the eldest crew member.
Sgt Henry Utley Oxspring(age 27)Bomb Aimer
Killed when Lancaster ED823 crashed near Halam on 10 April 1943.
Sgt William Shearer Lyndsay Graham(age 20)Wireless Operator
From Glasgow, Scotland
Killed in the crash. Graham was the youngest British crew member at 20.
Fl/Sgt Raymond David Lewis(age 22)Air Gunner
Killed in the crash. Lewis was a Canadian whose family attended the 68th anniversary memorial dedication in 2011.
Sgt William George Stephenson(age 21)Air Gunner
Killed when Lancaster ED823 crashed near Halam on 10 April 1943.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Halam Parish Council
Website
Memorial erected by local residents Andrew Paris and Tony Denyer. Parish council 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
Halam Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Nottinghamshire Roll of HonourRetrieved 2026-03-23
Nottinghamshire County Council Roll of Honour entry for the Halam Air Crash memorial. Records the memorial to the seven crew of Lancaster ED823 from 1661 HCU who died on 10 April 1943.
What you'll find: The poignant Nottinghamshire Roll of Honour entry commemorating Lancaster ED823's tragic loss in April 1943.
Memorial reference 1972. Multinational crew: two Australians, one Canadian, four British. Crash site now part of Norwood Park Golf Course.
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museum register entry for the Lancaster ED823 memorial at Halam. Stone memorial bearing all seven names was dedicated on 10 April 2011 (68th anniversary). Over 200 people attended including relatives from Australia and Canada.
What you'll find: The dedication of Lancaster ED823 Memorial at Halam in this IWM register entry.
Memorial reference 68377. Dedicated 10 April 2011. Attended by 200+ people including RAAF, RCAF representatives. Erected by local residents Andrew Paris and Tony Denyer.
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Nottinghamshire Roll of Honour (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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