Vickers Wellington W5667
3.4 miles away
Lincolnshire
Sibsey Lancaster Memorial
Sibsey, Lincolnshire
Partial Record
The Memorial
Families funded memorial at crash site.
Type
Sibsey Lancaster Memorial (families funded memorial at crash site)
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Sibsey, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///wanderers.expropriate.spiders
What Happened
On 29 January 1943, the six-man crew of No. 9 Squadron Lancaster ED503 were on a flight that ended in catastrophe over the Lincolnshire Fens at Sibsey Northlands. The cause of the crash remains unknown — the aircraft suddenly lost height and plunged into the field, creating a crater in the quicksand and subsoil. Despite pumping efforts by the fire service, it proved impossible to recover the crew or wreckage. All six men were killed: Flight Lieutenant Robert Frood Lind, Pilot Officer Charles W H Cocks, Sergeant Donald A Brown, Sergeant John Doran, Sergeant Thomas Henry, and Sergeant Thomas Wishart. Wishart alone was thrown clear and is buried in Scotland; the remaining five lie where they fell. In 1947, the families of the crew paid for a memorial to be consecrated on the crash site, bearing the names of all six men.
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
An annual commemorative service is held on 2.30pm.
Service of Commemoration(Every year at 2.30pm)
A service held at the memorial site to remember the crew members who died in the crash.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Lancaster (details on memorial)
Squadron
Bomber Command
Date of Loss
WW2
Crew (6 members)
Memorial Care
local history group
Organisation
Sibsey Lancaster Memorial Trust
Families funded memorial at crash site.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Boston & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Further Reading
Lincolnshire Heritage ExplorerRetrieved 2026-03-23
Heritage record for the Avro Lancaster aircraft crash site and war memorial at Sibsey Northlands. The Lancaster ED503 of 9 Squadron crashed on 29 January 1943 during an engine and airframe test flight, killing all six crew. The aircraft dived into a field for no apparent reason.
What you'll find: Explore Heritage Record: Discover Avro Lancaster Aircraft Crash Site & War Memorial Details at Sibsey Northlands.
Lancaster ED503 of 9 SquadronCrash date: 29 January 1943Engine and airframe test flightAircraft dived into field without apparent cause6 crew killedHeritage monument reference MLI116028
Coningsby Town CouncilRetrieved 2026-03-23
Sibsey Lancaster Memorial Trust page on the Coningsby Town Council website. The Trust maintains the memorial and holds annual remembrance services for the crew.
What you'll find: Explore Sibsey Lancaster Memorial Trust's page for details about their maintained memorial and annual crew remembrance services.
Memorial Trust maintains the siteAnnual remembrance services held
Airshows PresentRetrieved 2026-03-23
Page about the Sibsey Northlands Lancaster Memorial with photographs. The memorial was built and consecrated in 1947, taking the form of a stone cross inscribed with the names of the crew: F/L Robert Lind (pilot), P/O Charles Cocks, Sgt John Doran, Sgt Thomas Henry, and Sgt Donald Brown.
What you'll find: The Sibsey Northlands Lancaster Memorial's history, featuring poignant photographs and crew names.
Memorial consecrated 1947Stone cross formCrew names inscribedPilot: F/L Robert Lind
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Lincolnshire Heritage Explorer (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Coningsby Town Council (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Airshows Present (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Coningsby Town Council / Sibsey Lancaster Memorial Trust (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
Suggest a correction or additionCan You Help Complete This Record?
This record for Sibsey Lancaster Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
Email admin@bombermemorial.co.uk or contribute directly via our GitHub repository