Hoveringham (1) Lancaster Memorial
0.0 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Hoveringham (2) Lancaster Memorial
Hoveringham (2), Nottinghamshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Hoveringham Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Hoveringham (2), Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
what3words: ///plant.dissolves.surcharge
What Happened
Took off at 00:01 hrs from Syerston, Nottinghamshire on a night cross country sortie.
Above L-R: W/O. Richard Rathbone
, Sgt. Albert Mercer
, Fl/Sgt. Hugh MacKenzie
, Fl/Sgt. John Emerson
, Fl/Sgt. John Reid
, Sgt. Jasper Martin
and Sgt. Joseph Francis Fitzgibbon
.
Completed the operation and on returning to the base acknowledged the landing instructions from flying control. Then 2 minutes later at 02:16hrs LM308 crashed at high speed exploding on impact. Eyewitnesses claim that they saw it on
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
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Crew (6 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Hoveringham Parish Council
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
Hoveringham Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed page on W/O Richard Barlow Rathbone RCAF (aged 28) and his crew of Lancaster III LM308. The aircraft took off at 00:01 from Syerston on a night cross-country training sortie. After completing the exercise, the crew acknowledged landing instructions from flying control. Two minutes later at 02:16, LM308 crashed at high speed and exploded on impact. Eyewitnesses reported both port engines may have caught fire while airborne.
What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Richard Barlow Rathbone RCAF's tragic Lancaster training sortie.
Takeoff at 00:01 from SyerstonCrash at 02:16 after acknowledging landing instructionsBoth port engines possibly on fireFive Canadians and two British crew, all killedRathbone aged 28, RCAF
Graham Edwards (Author)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Historical account linking the LM308 crash to the earlier JB125 loss at Hoveringham just 17 days prior. Both aircraft were from No. 5 Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Syerston, highlighting the dangerous nature of night training operations in the final months of the war.
What you'll find: Explore historical account of LM308 and JB125 crashes linked to Hoveringham's No. 5 Lancaster Finishing School.
Second crash at same location within 17 daysBoth from 5 LFS Syerston
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM registers the twin memorial stones at Hoveringham, with the right stone commemorating the crew of LM308 lost on 29 January 1945. The memorial reference covers both Hoveringham Lancaster crashes.
What you'll find: The poignant Memorial: Hoveringham (2) Lancaster Memorial, honoring those lost in a tragic 1945 crash.
IWM memorial reference 61799Right stone commemorates LM308 crew
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Graham Edwards (Author) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
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