Bomber Command Memorial Register

California Gap Z.8397 Memorial

12 SquadronNorfolkWellington II

California Gap, Norfolk

Comprehensive Record

Photographs

12 squadron wellington ii z8397 crew
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 crew — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
12 squadron wellington ii z839 california sands
12 squadron wellington ii z839 california sands — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 memorial plaque
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 memorial plaque — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
californian tavern
californian tavern — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
flsgt aldwyn anthony nordon 653750 raf grave
flsgt aldwyn anthony nordon 653750 raf grave — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
alfred e cosgrove w800 1
Credit: Aircrew Remembered

The Memorial

It is maintained by Scratby and California Parish Council.

Type
Memorial plaque on California Tavern building
Inscription

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

LocationVerified Location

California Gap, Norfolk, Norfolk

what3words: ///thing.loyal.vines

What Happened

On the night of 10/11 October 1941, Wellington II Z8397 of 12 Squadron took off from RAF Binbrook at 23:52 to attack Cologne. Shortly after departure, the aircraft developed engine problems and the pilot decided to return. Unable to reach Binbrook, Sgt Tothill attempted a crash-landing on the beach at California Gap near Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, touching down at approximately 01:30. Some reports state that after coming to rest, the aircraft struck a mine on the beach which exploded, killing all six crew members. The memorial plaque on the California Tavern building commemorates these airmen.

Community Connection

The Vickers Wellington Z8397 memorial was captured in images by Tony Hibberd and Richard E.

Remembrance

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Aircraft & Operation Details

12 Squadron badgeLeads the field
Aircraft Type
Wellington II
Serial Number
Z8397
Squadron
12 Squadron
Station
Binbrook
Date of Loss
1941-10-11
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Cologne (aborted — returned with engine trouble)
Cause of Loss
Engine problems after takeoff; crash-landed on beach; reportedly struck a mine after landing

Crew (7 members)

12 squadron wellington ii z8397 crew
12 squadron wellington ii z8397 crew — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
Sgt
Frank Hugh Neville Tothill
927548
Pilot25BritishKilledMoggerhanger (St. John) ChurchyardCWGC
F/Sgt
James Lennox Scott Dunlop
R/67572
2nd Pilot23CanadianKilledStevenson (New Street) Cemetery, Section M, North Extension, Grave 22-23CWGC
Sgt
Alfred Edward (Teddy) Cosgrove
968259
Observer20BritishKilledMoston St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery, St. Anthony Section, Grave 622CWGC
F/Sgt
Aldwyn Anthony Nordon
653750
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner20BritishKilledBarnsley (Carlton) Cemetery, Section A, Grave 121CWGC
Sgt
Raymond Henry Todman
908659
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner21BritishKilledNot confirmedCWGC
Sgt
Arthur Pilkington
917339
Air Gunner22BritishKilledScottow Cemetery, Grave 261CWGC
—
Aldwyn Norden
———Killed—

About the Crew

Sgt Frank Hugh Neville Tothill(age 25)Pilot

From Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire

Killed when Wellington Z8397 crash-landed on the beach at California Gap and reportedly struck a mine. Buried at Moggerhanger (St. John) Churchyard.

Sgt Tothill was 25 years old, the son of Charity Wish Tothill of Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire.

F/Sgt James Lennox Scott Dunlop(age 23)2nd Pilot

Killed in the crash. Canadian crew member buried at Stevenson Cemetery.

Sgt Alfred Edward (Teddy) Cosgrove(age 20)Observer

Known as 'Teddy'. Killed in the crash at California Gap. Buried at Moston Cemetery, Manchester.

F/Sgt Aldwyn Anthony Nordon(age 20)Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

Killed in the crash. Buried at Barnsley (Carlton) Cemetery.

Sgt Raymond Henry Todman(age 21)Wireless Operator/Air Gunner

Killed in the crash at California Gap.

Sgt Arthur Pilkington(age 22)Air Gunner

Killed in the crash. Buried at Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk.

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Scratby and California Parish Council

Local Contacts

These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.

Mundesley & District Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Scratby and California Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24

Aircrew Remembered documents the loss of Wellington Z8397 of 12 Squadron on 10/11 October 1941. The aircraft took off from RAF Binbrook to attack Cologne but returned with engine problems and crash-landed on the beach at California Gap near Caister-on-Sea. Reports suggest the aircraft struck a mine after landing, killing all six crew.

What you'll find: Detailed account of Wellington Z8397's tragic mission loss in WWII at Aircrew Remembered.

Target: CologneCrashed on beach at California GapReports of aircraft touching a mine after landingAll six crew killed, ages 20-25

IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23

IWM records the memorial to the crew of Wellington Z8397 at California Gap, Norfolk. The memorial plaque is located on the California Tavern building.

What you'll find: The memorial honoring Wellington Z8397 crew at California Gap, Norfolk.

IWM reference: memorial/101410Memorial plaque on California Tavern building

Nearby Memorials

Vickers Wellington Z8397
1.7 miles away
Norfolk
Crew of Lincoln Bomber RE373 of 97 Squadron
2.6 miles away
Norfolk
Reedham (mid-air collision) 42-31370 Memorial
9.0 miles away
Norfolk
Handley Page Halifax LL356
12.9 miles away
Suffolk
Kessingland "Repulser" Memorial
15.7 miles away
Suffolk

Sources

Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09

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