Handley Page Halifax RG475 and local men and women who served in the Royal Air Force
0.2 miles away
Essex
Walton-on-the-Naze VII Memorial
Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Frinton and Walton Town Council.
Type
Monument
Inscription
This Memorial Was Erected in 1979 by the Frinton and Walton Royal Air Forces Association to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Formation of the Royal Air Force and the 30th of the Branch. The Airscrew Blades Were Recovered in 1979 by the Officers and Cadets of 308 Squadron of Colchester and Clacton Air Traning Corps from the Site Where a Halifax Bomber of 432 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Crashed at the Naze on the Night of March 5 6 1945 Whilst Returning from an Operational Mission, Killing All Members of the Crew. The Memorial Is Dedicated to All Local Men and Women Who Have Served in the Royal Air Force and to the Memory of the Halifax Crew [crew Names Inscribed on Memorial] Seven of the Above Are Buried at Brookwood, Surrey and One at Monmouth, S Wales
LocationApproximate Location
Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, Essex
what3words: ///shimmered.spenders.super
What Happened
In 1945, on March 6th, a Halifax VII RG475 of 432 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, tragically crashed at The Naze during its return from an operational mission. This occurred as part of World War II. All crew members perished in the incident. In 1979, airscrew blades were recovered by officers and cadets of 308 Squadron from this site. Seven of these crew members are interred at Brookwood, Surrey, while one lies in Monmouth, South Wales.
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
Do you know of any commemorative events or annual services held at this memorial? We would love to hear from local communities who remember.
Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Halifax VII
Serial Number
RG475
Squadron
432 SquadronStation
East Moor
Date of Loss
1945-03-06
Crew (8 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Frinton and Walton Town Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Wickford & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Frinton and Walton Town Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museums register entry for the memorial to the crew of Halifax Bomber RG475, 432 Squadron RCAF, at Walton-on-the-Naze. The crew were lost on the night of 5/6 March 1945 returning from an operational mission.
What you'll find: Explore detailed records of the Halifax Bomber crew's memorial at Walton-on-the-Naze VII Memorial.
Crew: S/L Edwin Alfred Hayes (pilot), Flt Lt John George Clothier, P/O Douglas Marvin Cooke, F/O Colin Maxwell Hay, P/O D. Ringrose, Flt Lt Glenn Royal Harris, P/O Marius Bendt Nielsen, P/O Gilbert Melbourne Orser. Seven buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey; one at Monmouth.
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
Registry entry for the Halifax RG475 memorial monument at Walton-on-the-Naze. Documents the 432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF loss and the memorial erected in 1979.
What you'll find: Walton-on-the-Naze VII Memorial: Explore the Halifax RG475 memorial honoring the fallen from 432 (Leaside) Squadron RCAF, unveiled in 1979.
Halifax VII designated QO-L with 8 recorded operations. Airscrew blades were recovered in 1979 by officers and cadets of the Colchester and Clacton Air Training Corps. Memorial dedicated that same year.
Nearby Memorials
Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Essex (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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