Avro Lancaster PB304
2.0 miles away
Greater Manchester
Salford Lancaster Memorial
Salford, Lancashire / Greater Manchester
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Salford City Council.
Type
Memorial at crash site
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Salford, Lancashire / Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester
what3words: ///remark.gravel.ripe
What Happened
Flight Lieutenant Lines and his crew of 106 Squadron RAF departed RAF Metheringham on 30 July 1944, tasked with attacking enemy positions at Cahagnes in Normandy. The operation was aborted before the target was reached, and Lancaster PB304 turned for home still carrying its full bomb payload. Battle damage, mechanical failure, or communications disrupted by German interference — the precise cause remains unclear — prevented a safe return, and the aircraft came down over Salford, Lancashire. All seven crew members were killed, along with two civilians on the ground. Among those lost was Sergeant Mohand Singh, the rear gunner — one of the Indian aircrew who served with the RAF during the war.
Community Connection
It was unveiled on the 30th of July 1994 by N JONES and R WHEATLEY.
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
Pro libertateAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
PB304
Squadron
106 Squadron RAFStation
RAF Metheringham
Date of Loss
1944-07-30
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Attacking enemy positions at Cahagnes, Normandy
Cause of Loss
Returned from aborted Normandy operation with full bomb payload; battle damage or mechanical failure; garbled communications possibly due to German interference
Crew (8 members)
About the Crew
F/L Peter LinesPilot
Killed in the crash and explosion at Regatta Street, Salford. Made two attempts to land on Littleton Road playing fields to avoid populated areas, demonstrating extraordinary bravery.
Pilot of Lancaster PB304 (ZN-S), 106 Squadron. His heroic attempts to avoid crashing into densely populated Salford prevented an even greater loss of civilian life.
Sgt Raymond BarnesFlight Engineer
Killed in the crash and subsequent explosion.
Flight engineer serving with 106 Squadron at RAF Metheringham.
F/O Harry ReidNavigator
Killed in the crash and explosion. The only Canadian in the crew.
Canadian navigator serving with the RCAF, the sole Canadian among the multinational crew.
F/O John Harvey SteelAir Bomber
Killed in the crash and explosion.
Air bomber serving with 106 Squadron.
Sgt Arthur William YoungW/Op Air Gunner
Killed in the crash and explosion.
Wireless operator and air gunner serving with 106 Squadron.
Sgt John Bruce Thornley DavenportMid-Upper Gunner
Killed in the crash and explosion.
Mid-upper gunner serving with 106 Squadron.
Sgt Mohand SinghRear Gunner
Killed in the crash and explosion. One of many Indian airmen who served with the RAF during the war.
Indian rear gunner, representative of the significant contribution made by Indian airmen to RAF Bomber Command during WW2.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Salford City Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Manchester Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Salford City Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
aircrashsites.co.ukRetrieved 2026-03-23
Detailed crash site page for Lancaster PB304 of 106 Squadron at Salford. Documents the aircraft's return from an aborted mission over Normandy with full bomb payload, engine trouble, and the pilot's attempts to land on Littleton Road playing fields.
What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Lancaster PB304's aborted Normandy mission crash site in Salford.
106 Squadron based at RAF MetheringhamReturned with full bomb payloadWing clipped rooftops on Regatta Street30-second delay before bombs exploded
Talking About My GenerationRetrieved 2026-03-23
Community history article about the Lancaster PB304 crash and the enduring local remembrance.
What you'll find: Explore community history of Lancaster PB304 crash and its lasting local memorial impact.
Ongoing community remembrancePilot attempted two landing approaches at Littleton Road playing fields
Aviation TrailsRetrieved 2026-03-23
Aviation Trails page tracing the story of Lancaster PB304 from its 106 Squadron base at Metheringham to its loss at Salford.
What you'll find: Explore the detailed journey and history of Lancaster PB304 on Aviation Trails.
106 Squadron confirmedCrash date 30 July 1944
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for the Avro Lancaster PB304 memorial stone at Agecroft Cemetery, Salford.
What you'll find: Explore the Avro Lancaster PB304 memorial stone in Salford's Agecroft Cemetery on the Imperial War Museums' register.
IWM memorial reference 15977Memorial stone at Agecroft Cemetery
Nearby Memorials
Sources
aircrashsites.co.uk (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Talking About My Generation (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Trails (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM (memorial/15977) (website)
Aviation Trails - Lancaster PB304 (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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