Staunton in the Vale W.4270 Memorial

Staunton in the Vale, Lincolnshire

Comprehensive Record

Photographs

61 squadron lancaster i w4270 crew w800 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

61 squadron lancaster w4270 sgt. george arthur hitchon and sgt. james milton whitehead — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

61 squadron lancaster i w4270 memorial — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

61 squadron lancaster i w4270 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

61 squadron lancaster w4270 thomas herb warnes funeral at newark cemetery 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

61 squadron lancaster w4270 sgt. thomas herbert warne r102085 r.c.a.f. — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

The Memorial

Memorial with interpretation board in new burial ground of St Mary's Church.

Type

Memorial with interpretation board

Inscription

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LocationApproximate Location

Staunton in the Vale, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire

what3words: ///blackbird.sprain.sleep

What Happened

Lancaster W4270 had been airborne for nearly seven hours on a long cross-country training exercise when disaster struck. The aircraft was brand new to 61 Squadron at RAF Syerston. At 22:56 hours, a connecting rod broke on the inner starboard engine, sparking a fire the crew could not extinguish. With the landing gear in a lowered position — possibly deployed in preparation for an emergency landing — the aircraft became uncontrollable and crashed into farmland northwest of Staunton-in-the-Vale church. All seven crew were killed instantly. The pilot, Sgt Thomas "Herb" Warne from Saskatchewan, was the oldest and most experienced at just 23, despite having only 15 hours of night flying on Lancasters. The youngest, flight engineer George Hitchon from Padiham, was 19. Three Commonwealth airmen were buried together at Newark Cemetery; the other four were returned to their home towns across Britain. The crash site lies in the agricultural lowlands south of Newark, within sight of the Lincolnshire border — territory that felt safe and familiar to crews who flew from Syerston daily, making the training loss especially poignant.

Community Connection

Di Ablewhite, a community member, created and shared an image of the Avro Lancaster W4270 memorial.

Remembrance

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Aircraft & Operation Details

Per purum tonantes

Aircraft Type

Lancaster I W.4270

Squadron

61 Sqdn.

Station

Syerston

Date of Loss

1943-02-18

Operation Type

Training

Cause of Loss

Con rod broke on inner starboard engine; fire spread; undercarriage lowered causing loss of control

Crew (8 members)

Rank	Name	Role	Age	Nationality	Fate	Burial / Status
Sgt	Thomas Herbert Warne R/102085 RCAF	Pilot	23	Canadian	Killed	Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Sec. P, Grave 307CWGC
Sgt	George Arthur Hitchon 576765 RAF	Flight Engineer	19	British	Killed	Padiham Churchyard, Row 3, Div. 7, Grave 5
Sgt	Robert John Preece 1174086 RAF	Observer	22	British	Killed	Wembdon Churchyard, Sec. C, Row A, Grave 14
Sgt	Thomas Raine Newton 1119116 RAF	W/Op Air Gunner	21	British	Killed	Brandon & Byshottles Cemetery, Grave 46
Sgt	James Milton Whitehead 975551 RAF	W/Op Air Gunner	22	British	Killed	Cambusnethan Cemetery, Sec. A, Grave 824
Sgt	Edward John Loverock 950159 RAF	Air Gunner	21	British	Killed	Matlock Cemetery, Plot 1, Row 12, Grave 15
Sgt	John Coaker 1276786 RAF	Air Gunner	22	British	Killed	Leusdon Churchyard, Devon
—	Unknown R	—	—	—	Killed	—

About the Crew

Sgt Thomas Herbert Warne(age 23)Pilot

From Saskatchewan, Canada

Killed instantly when the Lancaster crashed into farmland after an engine fire made the aircraft uncontrollable. Had only 15 hours of night flying on Lancasters.

Canadian pilot from Saskatchewan serving with the RCAF, aged 23. The most experienced crew member despite having only 15 hours night flying on Lancasters.

Sgt George Arthur Hitchon(age 19)Flight Engineer

From Padiham, Lancashire

Killed instantly in the crash. The youngest crew member at 19.

Flight engineer from Padiham, Lancashire, aged 19. The youngest of the crew.

Sgt Robert John Preece(age 22)Observer