Avro Lancaster HK773
0.1 miles away
Norfolk
Mundford Lancaster Memorial
Mundford, Norfolk
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Mundford Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Mundford, Norfolk, Norfolk
what3words: ///spud.jaunts.riches
What Happened
On 22 March 1945, with the war in Europe entering its final weeks, Lancaster HK773 of 15 Squadron taxied out at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk for what should have been a routine departure for operations. Moments after becoming airborne at 11:00 hours, a fire erupted in the port outer engine. The pilot, Warrant Officer Newton of the Royal Australian Air Force, found himself in an impossible situation -- his aircraft was too low and too slow to bail the crew out, and too heavily laden with fuel and ordnance to maintain flight on three engines. Newton attempted an emergency crash landing in Thetford Forest, just across the county border in Norfolk near the village of Mundford. The Lancaster struck the trees and ploughed into the forest floor. On impact, the 4,000 lb "Blockbuster" high-capacity bomb in the bomb bay detonated, creating an enormous crater and killing all seven crew members instantly. The violence of the explosion was such that fragments of the aircraft are still being found in the surrounding forest today.
Community Connection
The Avro Lancaster HK773 memorial was created and shared by John Bastock. The new plinth was installed by a dedicated group from Mundford village, showcasing the community's commitment to preserving this war memorial.
Remembrance
Plinth Replacement Viewing(2020-03-16)
Images were taken showing the new plinth, with some plane pieces from the Lancaster HK773 still coming to light around the forest site.
Map Provision(2020-03-19)
A map for visitors was provided, courtesy of Google Earth images by Geoff Reynolds, Secretary of The Mildenhall Register.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aim sureAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
HK773
Squadron
15 SquadronStation
Mildenhall
Date of Loss
1945-03-22
Operation Type
Taking off for operations
Cause of Loss
Fire in port outer engine shortly after take-off; pilot attempted emergency crash landing; 4,000 lb "Blockbuster" bomb detonated on impact
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
W/O Frederick Newton(age 24)Pilot
Killed instantly when the 4,000 lb Blockbuster bomb detonated on impact after he attempted an emergency landing in Thetford Forest.
Australian pilot serving with the RAAF, aged 24. Attempted to save his crew by crash-landing in the forest after an engine fire on take-off.
Sgt George Cope(age 21)Wireless Operator
Killed instantly in the crash and bomb detonation.
Wireless operator serving with the RAFVR, aged 21.
Sgt Martin Matthews(age 22)Bomb Aimer
Killed instantly in the crash and bomb detonation.
Bomb aimer serving with the RAFVR, aged 22.
Sgt Peter Cooley(age 20)Mid-Upper Gunner
Killed instantly in the crash and bomb detonation.
Mid-upper gunner serving with the RAFVR, aged 20.
Sgt Tom Jenkins(age 36)Tail Gunner
Killed instantly in the crash and bomb detonation. At 36, the oldest crew member by a considerable margin.
Tail gunner serving with the RAFVR, aged 36 -- the oldest crew member by far, more than twice the age of the youngest.
Sgt William Dee(age 20)Flight Engineer
Killed instantly in the crash and bomb detonation.
Flight engineer serving with the RAFVR, aged 20.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Mundford Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Thetford Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Mundford Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Mundford Parish CouncilParish Council
Memorial contact — Rod Billen (local resident, referred by parish council)
Further Reading
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
WMO entry for the Lancaster HK773 memorial at Mundford. The memorial garden includes a granite stone, eight crosses, Lancaster imagery, and recovered aircraft fragments. Originally dedicated in 1999 following a 1998 site investigation, updated in March 2020.
What you'll find: The Memorial: Mundford Lancaster Memorial - a poignant tribute to Lancaster HK773 at War Memorials Online.
WMO reference 193683Original dedication 1999Updated memorial garden March 2020Crater still visible at site
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for the Avro Lancaster HK773 memorial near Mundford, Norfolk.
What you'll find: Explore the detailed history and significance of the Mundford Lancaster Memorial at this link.
IWM memorial reference 99108Serial confirmed as HK773
TracesOfWar.comRetrieved 2026-03-23
International heritage database entry for the Lancaster crash memorial at Mundford.
What you'll find: Explore the international heritage database entry for the Mundford Lancaster Memorial.
Documented on international war heritage database
Thetford & Brandon TimesRetrieved 2026-03-23
Local press coverage of the memorial dedication for the crew of Lancaster HK773 at Mundford.
What you'll find: Read about the poignant dedication ceremony honoring the brave crew of Lancaster HK773 at Mundford.
Local press coverage of dedicationCommunity-led maintenance effort
Nearby Memorials
Sources
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
TracesOfWar.com (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Thetford & Brandon Times (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
War Memorials Online - Memorial 193683 (website)
IWM Memorial 99108 (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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