Crew Of Lancaster Aircraft (Serial # MK 442)
0.4 miles away
Lincolnshire
Brocklesby Lancaster Memorial
Brocklesby, Lincolnshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Brocklesby Parish Meeting.
Type
Wellingtonia/Lancaster memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Brocklesby, Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire
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What Happened
Flying Officer Ryan and his six-man crew departed RAF Spilsby on the evening of 3 March 1945, joining a force of Lancaster bombers targeting the Ladbergen aqueducts on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Returning from the raid, their aircraft — Lancaster ME442, coded KM-V, of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron — was ordered to divert due to reports of enemy intruder aircraft over England. Ryan steered north, but the Lancaster was shot down by a Junkers Ju88C night fighter during Operation Gisela, a Luftwaffe intrusion over British airspace. The aircraft came down at Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire, severing a Californian Redwood tree before coming to rest. All seven crew members were killed: pilot Ryan, aged 33, was Australian; the remaining six — Jarman, Russell, Terry, Birtch, Payne, and Rogan — were British, the youngest aged just 19.
Community Connection
The Crew Of Lancaster Aircraft (Serial # MK 442) memorial was created and shared by D Deptford and Matty Crudas. With help from 44 (R) Sqn Association, including its Chairman Gp Capt (Retd) John Laycock and Secretary Sqn Ldr Henry Horscoft, they contacted Lord Yarborough’s Brocklesby Estate Office and Flt Lt Terry Marsden RAFVR (Retd), the local RAFA representative at Kirmington. Due to ill health and rough terrain, the Association's Chairman and Secretary couldn't attend, so the author represented them and made the introduction.
Remembrance
An annual commemorative service is held on 4th March.
75th Anniversary commemoration of the crash of Lancaster ME442(2020-03-04)
A memorial service held at the crash site Memorial located in Brocklesby Mausoleum Woods, marking 75 years since the crash of Lancaster ME442 of 44 (R) Sqn.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Fulmina regis iustaAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ME442
Aircraft Code
KM-V
Squadron
44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAFStation
Spilsby
Date of Loss
1945-03-04
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Returning from bombing Ladbergen aqueducts (Dortmund-Ems Canal)
Cause of Loss
Shot down by Ju88C night fighter during Operation Gisela (Luftwaffe intruder operation over England)
Crew (11 members)
About the Crew
F/O John Joseph Francis Ryan(age 33)Pilot
Shot down by Ju88C during Operation Gisela. At 33, one of the older pilots still flying operations.
F/O 'Jack' Ryan was a 33-year-old Australian serving with the RAAF.
Sgt Thomas Handley Jarman(age 19)Flight Engineer
At 19, tied as youngest crew member. Buried at Stretford Cemetery.
Fl/Sgt Richard Raven Russell(age 21)Navigator
Buried at Hove New Cemetery, Sussex.
Fl/Sgt Hubert Joseph Terry(age 21)Air Bomber
Buried at Brandwood End Cemetery, Birmingham.
Sgt Harry Birtch(age 21)W/Op Air Gunner
Buried at Cambridge City Cemetery alongside pilot Ryan.
Sgt Herbert Payne(age 29)Air Gunner
At 29, one of the older crew. Buried at Liverpool (Kirkdale) Cemetery.
Sgt William Henry Rogan(age 19)Air Gunner
At 19, tied as youngest crew member. Buried at Liverpool (Kirkdale) Cemetery.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Brocklesby Parish Meeting
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Comprehensive account of the loss of Lancaster ME442 KM-V during Operation Gisela.
What you'll find: Comprehensive account of Lancaster ME442 KM-V's loss during Operation Gisela, including crew details and operational history.
Aircraft code: KM-VPart of Operation Gisela
IBCCRetrieved 2026-03-23
75th anniversary commemoration at Brocklesby Estate, March 2020.
What you'll find: 75th Anniversary Commemoration at Brocklesby Estate, 2020: Detailed accounts of events, tributes, and historical context.
75th anniversary commemoration held March 2020
44 Squadron AssociationRetrieved 2026-03-23
Plaque commissioned by Earl of Yarborough, site treated as consecrated ground.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Brocklesby Lancaster Memorial, including its commissioning by Earl of Yarborough, treatment as consecrated ground, and associated historical context.
Plaque commissioned by Earl of YarboroughSite treated as consecrated ground
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM records the memorial to the crew of Lancaster ME442.
What you'll find: Detailed record of Brocklesby Lancaster ME442's memorial, including crew information and site particulars.
IWM reference: memorial/34838
Related Memorials
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IBCC (retrieved 2026-03-23)
44 Squadron Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Aircrew Remembered - Ryan (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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