Two Avro Lancaster Crews - St Peter ad Vincula
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Cambridgeshire
Coveney (double Lancaster crash) Lancaster Memorial
Coveney (double Lancaster crash), Cambridgeshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Coveney Parish Council.
Type
Double memorial
Inscription
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LocationApproximate Location
Coveney (double Lancaster crash), Cambridgeshire, Cambridgeshire
what3words: ///feasting.doormat.supplier
OS Grid Ref: TL4882
What Happened
Returning from a raid on the railway marshalling yards at Rouen, France, two Lancasters of 115 Squadron were shot down by Luftwaffe intruder night fighters as they approached RAF Witchford to land. Lancaster LL667, captained by Pilot Officer John Birnie, age 20, was brought down at approximately 0210 hours, with the interception credited to Hauptmann Dietrich Puttarken of 5/KG51. Lancaster LL867, captained by Flight Lieutenant Charlie Eddy, was lost in the same attack over the airfield circuit. Both aircraft crashed near Coveney, Cambridgeshire. All fourteen men aboard the two aircraft were killed — seven in each crew — among them Flight Sergeant David Lloyd Jones, Sergeant Jack Ferguson, age 19, and Canadian Sergeant William James MacMillan, also age 19.
Community Connection
Tom Bullman and George Sparrow who lived in the parish witnessed the action.
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
Despite the elementsAircraft Type
Lancaster LL667 and Lancaster LL867
Serial Number
LL667 / LL867
Squadron
115 SquadronStation
Witchford
Date of Loss
1944-04-19
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Railway marshalling yards at Rouen, France
Cause of Loss
Both aircraft shot down by Luftwaffe Me 410 intruder night fighters while in the circuit at RAF Witchford, returning from operations over Rouen
Crew (14 members)
About the Crew
Pilot Officer John Birnie(age 20)Pilot
Aircraft: LL667
Sergeant Jack Ferguson(age 19)Flight Engineer
Aircraft: LL667
Flight Sergeant David Lloyd Jones(age 30)Navigator
Aircraft: LL667
Sergeant Ernest Kerwin(age 30)Wireless Operator
Aircraft: LL667
Pilot Officer Arnold Lepine Feldman(age 27)Bomb Aimer
Aircraft: LL667
Sergeant William James MacMillan(age 19)Mid-Upper Gunner
Aircraft: LL667
Sergeant George Edward Bailey(age 23)Rear Gunner
Aircraft: LL667
Flight Lieutenant Charly Eddy(age 29)Pilot
Aircraft: LL867
Sergeant William Leslie MurphyFlight Engineer
Aircraft: LL867
Flying Officer Albert SmithNavigator
Aircraft: LL867
Flight Sergeant Peter John Edward Maddox(age 22)Wireless Operator
Aircraft: LL867
Flight Sergeant Harold Edward George Pugh(age 24)Bomb Aimer
Aircraft: LL867
Sergeant Alfred Frank Langridge(age 32)Mid-Upper Gunner
Aircraft: LL867
Warrant Officer Henry Bennis(age 22)Rear Gunner
Aircraft: LL867
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Coveney Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
City of Ely Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Coveney Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Coveney Community ArchiveRetrieved 2026-03-23
Community archive record of the double Lancaster loss in Coveney parish on 19 April 1944. Lancasters LL667 and LL867 of 115 Squadron were shot down by Luftwaffe Me 410 intruders as they returned to RAF Witchford from a raid on Rouen, crashing within a mile of their home base.
What you'll find: Explore Lancaster Memorial's poignant archive documenting tragic double crash in Coveney parish on April 19, 1944.
Both shot down by Me 410 intrudersReturning from raid on RouenLL667 crashed at Common Farm, Witchford at 02:10LL867 crashed near Ely at 02:48
War Memorials OnlineRetrieved 2026-03-23
Memorial plaque record for the two 115 Squadron Lancaster crews at Coveney. The memorial in the village church commemorates all 14 aircrew killed in the two crashes on the night of 19 April 1944.
What you'll find: Memorial: Commemoration of 14 Aircrew Killed in Lancaster Crashes at Coveney Village Church.
Memorial plaque in Coveney village church14 aircrew commemorated (7 each aircraft)
Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23
Accident record for Lancaster Mk II LL667 of 115 Squadron shot down on 19 April 1944. Documents the loss as combat-related, intercepted by night intruder aircraft.
What you'll find: Explore detailed account of Lancaster Mk II LL667's tragic crash in Coveney on 19th April 1944 due to enemy interception.
Lancaster Mk II variantShot down near home base
115 Squadron RAF (Belgian archive)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Squadron records for Lancaster LL667 KO-R of 115 Squadron. Provides crew listing and operational history of the aircraft prior to its loss on the night of 19 April 1944.
What you'll find: Explore Crew Records & Operational History of Lancaster LL667 KO-R from 115 RAF Squadron Prior to Its Loss in Coveney Crash Incident.
Aircraft code KO-RSquadron records from Belgian archive
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Coveney Community Archive (retrieved 2026-03-23)
War Memorials Online (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
115 Squadron RAF (Belgian archive) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Cambridgeshire (website)
Find a Grave - Fl/Lt Charlie Eddy (database)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-13
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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