Syleham plaque to honour eight men who died 80 years ago in their Lancaster bomber

Eighty years after a Lancaster bomber crash-landed in a village, killing all on board, a plaque is to be placed to honour the memory of those who lost their lives.

The £300 required for the plaque in Syleham, which will be unveiled on March 16, two days prior to the anniversary of the crash, will be raised through a combination of a fundraising quiz and raffle, along with a donations.

Parish councillor and local history researcher Melanie Murray, 61, has researched the crash and hopes that the story can now be preserved for future generations in the Syleham and Wingfield area.

“There had been a tatty piece of paper in St Andrew’s Church in Wingfield listing the names, but we wanted a permanent reminder to preserve their story,” she said.

“I love family history and research, which can give you information, but it’s really about finding out who these people were and learning about their story.

“We are planning a service on March 16 with the Vicar of St Andrew’s, Eleanor Goodison, as well as some cadets and a local history display in the village hall. Hopefully, we can then hold a service each year to honour their memory.

“We’re also looking to get a smaller version of the plaque to place close to where it came down, if the landowner is happy for us to do that.”

The aircraft, piloted by 20-year-old recipient of the distinguished flying medal, Roy Dixon, had sustained gunshot damage while on a bombing raid over Germany, and was flying on just two of its four engines when it came down behind a farm house in Syleham, killing its eight occupants.

The brass plaque will list the name of Flight Sergeant Dixon and the other men on board: Bertram Crosby, 20; William Haswell Thompson, 27; Roger Dunkerley Vernon, 21; Sydney Leonard Huntley, 25; Percy Reginald Lawn, 22; Noris Sydney Marshall, 33; and Robert Harry Bryan, 23.