Handley Page Halifax LK954 (2019)
0.4 miles away
Lincolnshire
South Kyme Halifax Memorial
Handley Page Halifax LK954 (2019)
South Kyme, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by South Kyme Parish Council.
Type
Memorial plaque
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
South Kyme, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///defend.covers.developed
What Happened
Halifax LK954, flown by Flying Officer Robert George Eaton of 428 (RCAF) Ghost Squadron, was returning to its base at Middleton St. George after a bombing raid on Düsseldorf when it came down near South Kyme, Lincolnshire, on 4 November 1943. The aircraft had sustained damage from enemy gunfire and failed to reach base. All eight crew members were killed. Among them was Pilot Officer Alan Edward MacKenzie, an air gunner aged just 18 and noted as one of the youngest Canadians to die on bomber operations; Flying Officer Lester Lyle Whitham, the navigator, was 23, and Sergeant Harry Bernard Shimwell was 19. Flying Officer Robert George Eaton, the pilot, was 31.
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 28 May.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Halifax
Serial Number
LK954
Squadron
428 (RCAF) Sqdn.
Station
Middleton St. George
Date of Loss
1943-11-04
Crew (12 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
South Kyme Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Sleaford & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
South Kyme Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
South Kyme Parish CouncilRetrieved 2026-03-23
Parish council announcement of memorial service at South Kyme Golf Club to remember the Halifax bomber crew. The crash site is adjacent to what is now the golf club, which built a memorial near the clubhouse.
What you'll find: Attend Memorial Service for Halifax Bomber Crew at South Kyme Golf Club.
Crash site adjacent to South Kyme Golf ClubMemorial built near golf club clubhouseRegular memorial services held
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for Halifax LK954 NA-E memorial. National-level memorial registration for the 428 (Ghost) Squadron RCAF aircraft.
What you'll find: Explore Halifax Kyme Memorial on IWM Register: Discover history of Ghost Squadron's aircraft at national war memorials site.
IWM memorial reference 92485428 (Ghost) Squadron RCAF
Imperial War Museums (2019 memorial)Retrieved 2026-03-23
IWM entry for a newer 2019 memorial to the crew of Halifax LK954, located approximately 1 kilometre northeast of the older memorial. Shows ongoing community commitment to remembrance.
What you'll find: Discovering the 2019 Memorial at South Kyme Halifax: A testament to ongoing remembrance and community dedication.
Second memorial added 2019Located 1km NE of original memorialIWM reference 100041
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online listing for the crew of 428 (RCAF) Squadron Halifax LK954 NA-E memorial. Notes that P/O A.E. McKenzie was one of the youngest Canadians killed on Bomber Command operations at just 18 years of age.
What you'll find: The poignant Halifax Memorial honoring crew members, including young P/O A.E. McKenzie, who tragically lost their lives in Bomber Command operations.
P/O A.E. McKenzie was only 18 years oldOne of youngest Canadians killed on Bomber Command ops
Bombercrew.com ForumRetrieved 2026-03-23
Forum discussion with detailed crew research for Halifax LK954 of 428 Ghost Squadron RCAF. Community researchers have compiled additional biographical details of the Canadian crew members.
What you'll find: Explore in-depth analysis and biographical information on Halifax LK954 crew from Bombercrew.com Forum discussion.
428 (Ghost) Squadron nicknameCommunity-sourced crew research
Nearby Memorials
Sources
South Kyme Parish Council (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Imperial War Museums (2019 memorial) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Bombercrew.com Forum (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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