Bacton V-9097 Memorial
5.4 miles away
Norfolk
Southrepps X.3023 Memorial
Southrepps, Norfolk
Partial Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Southrepps Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Southrepps, Norfolk, Norfolk
what3words: ///hedgehog.gears.tops
What Happened
On the night of 20 November 1940, Hampden X3023 of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron departed RAF Waddington on a bombing sortie to the oil refinery at Lutzkendorf, near Leipzig. The aircraft was struck by machine gun fire over the Dutch coast, causing the starboard engine to fail. On the return flight, navigational error compounded the damage, and in poor visibility the aircraft struck trees near Southrepps, Norfolk. Sergeant Jack Leonard Frederick Ottaway, the pilot, was 25 years old; he was killed alongside navigator Pilot Officer Archie Ronald Kerr and wireless operator Sergeant Stanley Frederick Elliott. The sole survivor, air gunner Sergeant Stanley Hird, was injured in the crash.
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 March 2022.
Vickers Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb W3255(10th July 1941)
Made a forced landing in the 110 acre field NE of Hill.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Fulmina regis iustaAircraft Type
Hampden X.3023
Squadron
44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAFStation
Waddington
Date of Loss
1940-11-20
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Bombing sortie to oil refinery at Lutzkendorf, near Leipzig
Cause of Loss
Hit by machine gun fire over Dutch coast causing starboard engine failure; navigational error on return; aircraft struck trees in poor visibility
Crew (4 members)
About the Crew
Sgt Jack Leonard Frederick Ottaway(age 25)Pilot
From Norwich, Norfolk
Killed on impact when the Hampden crashed into woodland at Templewood House, Northrepps. Demonstrated exceptional airmanship nursing the crippled aircraft back across the North Sea on one engine.
From Norwich, married to Barbara with a two-year-old daughter Virginia -- named after her father's favourite brand of tobacco. Despite losing the starboard engine to enemy fire over the Dutch coast, he nursed the aircraft back across the North Sea.
P/O Archie Ronald KerrNavigator/Observer
Killed on impact in the crash at Templewood House. Had previously survived a ditching off Lowestoft earlier in 1940.
Navigator who had already survived one close call -- a ditching off Lowestoft earlier in the same year. His luck ran out over Norfolk.
Sgt Stanley Frederick ElliottWireless Operator/Air Gunner
Killed on impact in the crash at Templewood House, Northrepps.
Wireless operator and air gunner serving with 44 Squadron.
Sgt Stanley HirdAir GunnerDFC
Survived the crash at Templewood House and went on to serve with the RAF until the end of the war. Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Air gunner who survived the crash and continued to serve throughout the war, eventually earning the DFC. His survival from the wreckage of the Hampden was remarkable given the severity of the impact.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Southrepps Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Southrepps & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Southrepps Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
ITV News AngliaRetrieved 2026-03-23
ITV News coverage of the 75th anniversary memorial dedication at the Southrepps/Northrepps crash site. Jack Ottaway's granddaughters and other family members attended the ceremony to unveil a plaque on the stump of a tree knocked down by the original crash impact.
What you'll find: Attendees unveil Memorial plaque at Southrepps/Northrepps crash site anniversary dedication.
75th anniversary ceremony in 2015Ottaway's granddaughters attendedPlaque mounted on tree stump from original impact
44 Squadron AssociationRetrieved 2026-03-23
44 Squadron Association newsletter article on the Hampden X3023 crew, providing detailed squadron perspective on the loss. Jack Ottaway was from Norwich, married with a two-year-old daughter Virginia. The aircraft was hit by machine gun fire over the Dutch coast and the starboard engine failed.
What you'll find: Explore detailed account of 44 Squadron's Hampden X3023 crew and tragic loss in newsletter article.
Jack Ottaway was from NorwichMarried with two-year-old daughter VirginiaHit by machine gun fire over Dutch coastStarboard engine failed
Southrepps History HubRetrieved 2026-03-23
Local history hub page documenting WWII aircraft incidents around Southrepps village, including the Hampden X3023 crash. Provides community-level historical context and links to other wartime incidents in the area.
What you'll find: Explore local WWII aircraft incidents at Southrepps History Hub's Memorial page.
Local history resource for Southrepps wartime incidentsCommunity-maintained historical record
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents ArchivesRetrieved 2026-03-23
International aviation accident database entry for the Hampden HP.52 crash at Southrepps. Records 3 killed in the incident with aircraft identified as Handley Page HP.52 Hampden I.
What you'll find: Explore detailed records of an International aviation accident involving three fatalities and a Handley Page HP.52 Hampden I at Southrepps.
International accident database record3 killed confirmed
Nearby Memorials
Sources
ITV News Anglia (retrieved 2026-03-23)
44 Squadron Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Southrepps History Hub (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
44 Squadron Association - Hampden X3023 (website)
CWGC - Jack Leonard Frederick Ottaway (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
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 Southrepps X.3023 Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
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