Short Stirling EH977
1.3 miles away
Lincolnshire
Bassingham Fen Stirling Memorial
Bassingham Fen, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Bassingham Parish Council.
Type
Stone memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
Bassingham Fen, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
what3words: ///smelter.poetry.mailers
What Happened
During a routine night conversion training flight from Swinderby, the Stirling aircraft EH977 'Z' suffered an in-flight engine failure. Instead of the failed engine being feathered (reduced drag position), another correctly functioning engine was feathered. This action, possibly due to crew inexperience, led to the aircraft banking and crashing at approximately 0240 on 05/11/44 near Bassingham Fen.
Community Connection
A memorial plaque at Linga Lane, Bassingham Fen, Lincoln LN5 9LD England remembers the crew of 1660 HCU Stirling EH977 'Z'.
Remembrance
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
Crew
7 killed including pilot Plt Off. Robert James Chalmers
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Bassingham Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
City of Lincoln Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Bassingham Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
War Memorials Online records the memorial plaque to the crew of 1660 HCU Stirling EH977 'Z', noting the aircraft crashed close to Wirelocks Farm after departing Swinderby for a routine night conversion training flight on 5 November 1944.
What you'll find: Detailed record of Bassingham Fen Stirling Memorial, including crash site and crew information from a routine 1944 training flight.
Aircraft coded 'Z'Crashed near Wirelocks Farm, Sand Syke DrainDeparted at 02:40 hoursPost-accident investigation found wrong engine was feathered
Scarlet Boy Tumblr (Research Blog)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Research blog entry on P/O Robert James Chalmers records he arrived at 1660 Conversion Unit on 2 October 1944, barely a month before the fatal crash. The investigation revealed that after an in-flight engine failure, a functioning engine was feathered by mistake, possibly due to crew inexperience.
What you'll find: Detailed account of 1940s crash investigation linked to Bassingham Fen Stirling Memorial
Chalmers arrived at 1660 HCU on 2 October 1944In-flight engine failureWorking engine feathered in errorPossible crew inexperience cited
Nearby Memorials
Sources
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Scarlet Boy Tumblr (Research Blog) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph East Anglia WW2 Aircrew Crash Memorials (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
Suggest a correction or addition