Bleasby (2) W.4232 Memorial
0.1 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Bleasby (1) R.5703 Memorial
Bleasby (1), Nottinghamshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
Part of the Bleasby Aircrew Memorial site on Glebe Field, next to St Mary's Church.
Type
Lancaster memorial
Inscription
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LocationVerified Location
Bleasby (1), Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
what3words: ///mile.unite.logic
What Happened
Flying from RAF Syerston on 1 October 1942, Lancaster R5703 of 61 Squadron came down near Bleasby, Nottinghamshire. All seven crew members were killed, including their pilot, Squadron Leader George Ernest Weston, DFC. Weston was just 20 years old — a New Zealander serving with the RAF — and already held both a senior rank and a distinguished service decoration. Also among the dead were flight engineer Sergeant Frederick George Bellchambers, aged 31, navigator Pilot Officer George Alan Hawes, aged 22, and bomb aimer Sergeant John McFadyen Ramsey, aged 22. The crash is commemorated at Bleasby, where a memorial honours the crew of R5703.
Community Connection
The memorial was created and shared by Les Smith, as indicated in the image's metadata. Another image of the memorial was also provided by Richard E.
Bleasby Green Spaces Matter Plan Project: Coronation Meadow, Glebe Field Bleasby Nature day - October 2023 Scarecrows, Pallets & Cones 2020 Bleasby In Bloom & Open Gardens 2019 Bleasby Green Spaces Matter Plan Project: Coronation Meadow, Glebe Field Bleasby Nature day - October 2023 Scarecrows, Pallets & Cones 2020 Bleasby In Bloom & Open Gardens 2019 New O2 mobile mast proposed for Bleasby Bleasby Christmas Lights Swtich On Annual Meeting of Bleasby Parish Council The memorial remembers the names of 41 airmen who died in aircraft crashes in the area of Bleasby, Nottinghamshire during WWII.
Remembrance
Memorial Service(16th April 2024)
Commemoration of Pilot Officer George Alan Hawes at Eastbourne (Ocklynge) Cemetery, United Kingdom
Aircrews Memorial 2018(2018)
Commemoration event for Aircrews Memorial in Bleasby
Aircraft & Operation Details
Crew (5 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Bleasby Parish Council
Website
Part of the Bleasby Aircrew Memorial site on Glebe Field, next to St Mary's Church.
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Southwell Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Bleasby Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrewremembered.comRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of the R5703 crash on 1 October 1942. As the Lancaster left the runway at RAF Syerston bound for Wismar, the dinghy immersion switch activated, causing the dinghy to inflate and foul the tailplane. The aircraft dived into the ground one mile NE of Gunthorpe, killing all seven crew.
What you'll find: Comprehensive account of R5703 Lancaster crash, including cause, fatalities, and crew profiles.
Dinghy immersion switch activated on takeoffInflated dinghy fouled tailplaneCrashed 1 mile NE of GunthorpeAircraft fully loaded with fuel and bombsPilot S/Ldr Weston was 23, from RNZAFCrew included RCAF, RAF members
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM records the Bleasby Air Crews memorial honouring approximately 40 airmen from multiple crashes near the village during WW2, including the R5703 crew.
What you'll find: Detailed records of Bleasby Air Crews' memorial, including R5703 crew, with operational history and photographs.
IWM memorial reference 86723Covers approximately 40 airmen from multiple crashes
CWGC (via Aircrewremembered)Retrieved 2026-03-23
CWGC records P/O George Alan Hawes (navigator, 127491 RAFVR) of 61 Squadron, killed in the R5703 crash. Full crew: S/Ldr Weston DFC (pilot), Sgt Bellchambers (FE), P/O Hawes (nav), Sgt Ramsey (bomb aimer), F/O Hanson DFM (W/Op), Sgt Robinson (MU AG), F/Sgt Gallaway RCAF (rear AG).
What you'll find: Detailed records of 61 Squadron's R5703 crash, including crew members' identities and roles.
P/O Hawes CWGC verifiedFull crew of 7 identified
No. 50 & No. 61 Squadrons AssociationRetrieved 2026-04-09
Lancaster R5703 QR-D
What you'll find: Detailed account of Lancaster R5703 QR-D, including crew information, mission details, and memorial status at Bleasby.
Listed on 50/61 Squadrons Association memorial pageSerial: R5703Location: Gunthorpe Nottinghamshire
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
CWGC (via Aircrewremembered) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
No. 50 & No. 61 Squadrons Association (retrieved 2026-04-09)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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