Bomber Command Memorial Register

Crowland (mid-air collision) Lancaster Memorial

97 Sqdn.LincolnshireLancaster

Crowland (mid-air collision), Lincolnshire

Comprehensive Record

Photographs

perkins crew smaller version
perkins crew smaller version — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
e l j perkins
e l j perkins — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
lancaster b mark iiis of 619 sqn 3
lancaster b mark iiis of 619 sqn 3 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
map nd981 1
map nd981 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
perkins funeral
perkins funeral — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
memorial service picture me625 3
memorial service picture me625 3 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
plaque gathering cloot house soft 1
plaque gathering cloot house soft 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
the plaque 1
the plaque 1 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
edward perkins and his moter
edward perkins and his moter — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
frank ernest coxhead b
frank ernest coxhead b — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
coxhead 1st left 2nd row from front
coxhead 1st left 2nd row from front — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
frank ernest coxhead d 1 w800 1
Credit: Aircrew Remembered
frank ernest coxhead e
frank ernest coxhead e — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
lancaster mark iiis
lancaster mark iiis — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
crew me625
crew me625 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
me625 map
me625 map — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
memorial service picture me625 2
memorial service picture me625 2 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
plaque gathering cloot house soft
plaque gathering cloot house soft — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
the plaque
the plaque — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
maurice durn soft
maurice durn soft — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
david gethin williams soft
david gethin williams soft — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
alfred lambert
alfred lambert — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
lambert new clip
lambert new clip — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
arnold news clip
arnold news clip — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
j d fletcher soft
j d fletcher soft — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
cambridge city cemetery soft
cambridge city cemetery soft — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
st martholomews marsden 2
st martholomews marsden 2 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
treorchy cemetery soft
treorchy cemetery soft — Credit: Aircrew Remembered

The Memorial

It is maintained by Crowland Parish Council.

Type
Joint memorial
Inscription

Could you help us fill in the inscription?

LocationApproximate Location

Crowland (mid-air collision), Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire

what3words: ///patting.gambles.risky

What Happened

During a formation flying practice over Crowland, Lincolnshire, two Lancasters from 97 Squadron — ME265 and ND981 — suffered a catastrophic mid-air collision. Flight Lieutenant Van Raalte, an Australian, was piloting one of the aircraft when the two bombers struck each other. The collision left no opportunity for survival from either crew. In total, thirteen men were killed across both Lancasters. The squadron was based at RAF Coningsby at the time of the accident.

Community Connection

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Remembrance

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Aircraft & Operation Details

97 Sqdn. badgeAchieve your aim
Aircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ME265 & Lancaster ND981
Squadron
97 Sqdn.
Station
Coningsby
Date of Loss
1944-06-23

Crew (1 member)

perkins crew smaller version
perkins crew smaller version — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
crew me625
crew me625 — Credit: Aircrew Remembered
RankNameRoleAgeNationalityFateBurial / Status
Fl/Lt.
Henry Stewart (Aus Jim) Van Raalte
Pilot—BritishKilled—

Memorial Care

parish council
Organisation
Crowland Parish Council

Local Contacts

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

Spalding Royal British Legionbritish legion

Local remembrance and memorial support

Crowland Parish Councilparish council

Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep

Further Reading

Aircrew Remembered (Perkins)Retrieved 2026-03-24

Account of the mid-air collision on 23 June 1944 during 97 Squadron formation flying practice from RAF Coningsby. Lancaster ND981 OF-T piloted by Fl/Lt Ted Perkins had its tail removed when ME625 dropped onto it from above. The aircraft broke apart at 1,000 ft; Sgt Coman bailed out and survived.

What you'll find: The tragic mid-air collision account of Lancaster ND981 OF-T during 97 Squadron's formation flying practice in Crowland on June 23, 1944.

Six Lancasters in two V formationsND981 tail removed by collision from aboveAircraft broke at 1,000 ftCrash witnessed by villagers at Crowland fete

Account of Lancaster ME625 OF-O piloted by Australian Fl/Lt Van Raalte. The aircraft became trapped in the slipstream of the lead Lancaster during a gentle turn, causing the fatal collision. ME625 crashed two miles from ND981 with no survivors.

What you'll find: Account of tragic mid-air collision involving Lancaster ME625 OF-O piloted by Australian Fl/Lt Van Raalte on Aircrew Remembered (Van Raalte) source.

Van Raalte Australian, aged 31ME625 crashed two miles from ND981No bail-outs observed from ME625

Related Memorial

Cloot Drove Lancaster Mid-Air Collision Memorial
Same mid-air collision, 23 June 1944 — two Lancasters collided over the Fens

Nearby Memorials

Cloot Drove Lancaster Mid-Air Collision Memorial
1.4 miles away
Lincolnshire
Lancasters ME625 and ND981
2.6 miles away
Lincolnshire
Vickers Wellington Z8863
13.4 miles away
Cambridgeshire
Bicker Lancaster Memorial
16.3 miles away
Lincolnshire
Avro Lancaster ND820
16.5 miles away
Lincolnshire

Sources

Aircrew Remembered (Perkins) (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Aircrew Remembered (Van Raalte) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21

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