Avro Lancaster JB534 (Damaged early 2025, currently removed for repair)
1.0 miles away
Lincolnshire
Timberlands Fen Lancaster Memorial
Timberlands Fen, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Timberland Parish Council.
Type
Memorial plaque
Inscription
In Memory of the Crew of JB534 Zn-k, 106 SQN, RAF Metheringham at 17.20 Hours on the 15th February 1944, Lancaster JB534 Zn-k Took Off from RAF Metheringham, Destination Berlin. Seven Hours Later, After Safely Running the Gauntlet of Formidable German Defences, Zn-k Was in the Circuit Waiting to Land. In Avoiding a Collision with Another Lancaster, Control Was Lost Resulting in the Aircraft Crashing in the Adjacent Field. Five Crew Died and Two Were Seriously Injured. CREW [crew names inscribed on memorial] FOR OUR TOMORROW THEY GAVE THEIR TODAY. Erected and Maintained by Friends of Metheringham Airfield - metheringhamairfield.com
LocationApproximate Location
Timberlands Fen, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///awaiting.elects.flopping
What Happened
On February 15, 1944, Lancaster JB534 of 106 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Metheringham, embarked on a mission to Berlin. After successfully navigating through German defenses, the aircraft was in its landing circuit seven hours later when control was lost while avoiding a collision with another Lancaster. The plane crashed into an adjacent field, resulting in five crew fatalities and two serious injuries. This memorial honors their sacrifice: "For our tomorrow, they gave their today."
Community Connection
The image was created and shared by Colin Murray, suggesting a personal connection or community involvement in preserving this historical artifact. His story continues in the next paragraph, but it's clear that his community connection lies in Thetford, where he was born and raised, and where his family resided before his father's death in 1942.
Remembrance
Damaging Event(early 2025)
The Avro Lancaster JB534 was damaged.
Memorial Service(04/12/2023)
Commemoration of Pilot Officer Reginald William Dickerson at Thetford Cemetery
Aircraft & Operation Details
Pro libertateAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
JB534
Squadron
106 Squadron RAFStation
Metheringham
Date of Loss
1944-02-15
Crew (8 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Timberland Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Woodhall Spa & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Timberland Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
CWGCRetrieved 2026-03-23
Commonwealth War Graves Commission story page for Pilot Officer Reginald William Dickerson of 106 Squadron. Details his final flight on Lancaster JB534 (ZN-K) to Berlin on 15/16 February 1944, where the aircraft crashed at Timberland Fen while avoiding another Lancaster in the circuit.
What you'll find: The poignant story of RAF Pilot Officer Reginald William Dickerson's heroic last mission in Lancaster JB534 during WWII.
Dickerson was age 21. Aircraft departed at 1720 hours for Berlin. On return, while circling Metheringham waiting for landing permission, it banked hard to avoid a mid-air collision, stalled and crashed at 01:10. Five crew killed on impact; wireless operator Sgt Walter Hills died of injuries later that day. Two crew survived with injuries.
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museums register entry for the memorial to the crew of Lancaster JB534 at Timberlands Fen, catalogued as memorial reference 84235.
What you'll find: Explore the poignant tribute to Lancaster JB534 crew at Timberlands Fen Memorial.
Formally registered in the IWM national war memorials database. Memorial plaque at the crash site in Timberland Fen, Lincolnshire.
GeographRetrieved 2026-03-23
Photograph and description of the memorial plaque to the crew of Lancaster JB534 at Timberlands Fen, showing the memorial in its fenland setting near Metheringham.
What you'll find: A poignant tribute to Lancaster JB534 crew at serene Timberlands Fen, featuring an evocative memorial plaque amidst tranquil fens near Metheringham.
Memorial plaque is publicly accessible in the fen landscape. Crew included P/O Dickerson (pilot, age 21), Sgt Boffey (flight engineer, age 20), Fg Off Lewis (navigator, age 25), F/Sgt Pauley (bomb aimer, age 30), Sgt Hills (wireless operator, age 21).
Nearby Memorials
Sources
CWGC (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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