Vickers Wellington BJ764
0.0 miles away
Norfolk
Beetley Wellington Memorial
Beetley, Norfolk
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Beetley Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationVerified Location
Beetley, Norfolk, Norfolk
what3words: ///mistaking.innovator.resort
What Happened
On 9 November 1942, Wellington BJ764 from the French-Canadian 425 (Alouette) Squadron took off from RAF Dishforth at 17:33 for a bombing mission to Hamburg. Over mainland Europe, the aircraft was attacked by Luftwaffe night-fighter ace Oberleutnant Ludwig Becker near Raard, west of Dokkum in the Netherlands. Two crew members — Sgt Delorme and Sgt Pambrun — bailed out and became prisoners of war. The pilot, Flight Sergeant Foltz, a 26-year-old American from New York City serving with the RCAF, managed to regain control of the damaged aircraft and flew it back across the North Sea. However, approaching Norfolk the aircraft became uncontrollable and crashed near the village of Beetley, killing Foltz and the three remaining crew. A memorial at St Mary Magdalene's Church, Beetley, commemorates the Canadian aircrew who died.
Community Connection
The Vickers Wellington BJ764 memorial was captured in an image by Tony Hibberd and shared with the IBCC.
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
Aircraft Type
Wellington
Serial Number
BJ764
Squadron
425 SquadronStation
Dishforth
Date of Loss
1942-11-09
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Hamburg
Cause of Loss
Attacked by Luftwaffe night-fighter ace Oblt Ludwig Becker near Dokkum, Netherlands; two crew bailed out; pilot flew damaged aircraft back but crashed at Beetley
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
F/Sgt Raymond Rogers Foltz(age 26)Pilot
From New York City, USA
Flew the damaged Wellington back from the Netherlands but crashed at Beetley attempting to land. Buried at Dishforth Cemetery.
Foltz was a 26-year-old American from New York City who had volunteered to serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He heroically flew the badly damaged aircraft back across the North Sea after two crew had bailed out.
F/O G.S. CartwrightObserver
Killed in the crash at Beetley after the damaged aircraft failed to land safely.
Sgt Unknown crew member 3Crew
One of two additional crew killed in the crash at Beetley.
Sgt Joseph Albert DelormeCrew
From St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Canada
Bailed out over the Netherlands after the aircraft was attacked by Oblt Ludwig Becker. Became POW No. 881, held at Stalag Luft Heydekrug for the remainder of the war.
Sgt J.R.A. PambrunWireless Operator
Bailed out over the Netherlands with Sgt Delorme. Became a prisoner of war and held at Stalag Luft Heydekrug.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Beetley Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Dereham Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Beetley Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM records the memorial to the crew of Wellington BJ764 at Beetley, Norfolk, commemorating the Canadian aircrew who died in the crash on 9 November 1942.
What you'll find: Detailed Register Entry: This includes the memorial's specifics, crew biographies, crash account, and current condition in Beetley, Norfolk.
IWM memorial reference 101718
Geograph - East Anglia WW2 Aircrew Crash MemorialsRetrieved 2026-03-23
Geograph photo record of the memorial at Beetley to the crew of Wellington BJ764 of 425 (Alouette) Squadron RCAF. The French-Canadian squadron was formed at Dishforth in June 1942.
What you'll find: Detailed Geograph images and context of Beetley's Wellington BJ764 crash memorial, honoring French-Canadian RCAF aircrew from 425 Squadron.
425 (Alouette) Squadron RCAFFrench-Canadian bomber squadronFormed at Dishforth June 1942
Aircrewremembered.com (related 425 Sqn page)Retrieved 2026-03-24
Aircrewremembered's 1942 index references the Wellington BJ764 loss. Research indicates the aircraft was attacked by Luftwaffe ace Oblt Ludwig Becker near Dokkum in the Netherlands during a Hamburg raid. Two crew bailed out and became POWs; pilot F/Sgt Foltz (aged 26, from New York City) flew the damaged aircraft back to Norfolk but crashed attempting to land at Swanton Morley.
What you'll find: Comprehensive account of Wellington BJ764's loss, including Luftwaffe ace involvement, crew fates, and pilot's heroic yet tragic return attempt.
Attacked by Luftwaffe ace Oblt Ludwig BeckerAttacked near Dokkum, NetherlandsOn Hamburg raidTwo crew survived as POWs including Sgt DelormePilot Foltz aged 26, from New York CityAttempted emergency landing at Swanton Morley
Nearby Memorials
Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph - East Anglia WW2 Aircrew Crash Memorials (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aircrewremembered.com (related 425 Sqn page) (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
Back to Normandy - BJ764 loss record (database)
Warplane.com - Crew records (database)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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