Crew of Lancaster Bomber LM258
0.2 miles away
Suffolk
Felixstowe Lancaster Memorial
Felixstowe, Suffolk
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Felixstowe Town Council.
Type
Town hall plaque
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Felixstowe, Suffolk, Suffolk
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What Happened
Flying from RAF Methwold on the evening of 25 August 1944, Lancaster LM258 of 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron attacked a V-1 flying bomb launch site at Vincly, France. On the return flight, the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft flak near St Omer, losing two engines. The crew attempted to reach the emergency landing ground at RAF Woodbridge but could not maintain height, and the aircraft came down into the sea a quarter of a mile off Felixstowe. Flight Lieutenant Douglas Charles Haggis and seven crew members were killed, including Sergeant Angus Craig, the rear gunner, who was just nineteen years old. Among those lost was Flight Officer Charles Bryce Oxenham, a New Zealander serving as bomb aimer, alongside six British airmen ranging in age from twenty to twenty-six.
Community Connection
Every memorial has a story — why it was built, who campaigned for it, and what it means to the local community. If you know the story behind this memorial, we would love to hear it.
Share this memorial's storyRemembrance
Memorial Service(06/07/2024)
Commemoration event held at Cambridge City Cemetery to remember Flying Officer Charles Bryce Oxenham and the other crew members who died in the crash.
Commemorative Service(25 August 1944)
Marking the 80th anniversary of the tragic loss of Lancaster Bomber LM258, HA-Q and its seven heroic crew members.
Burial/Memorial(25-08-1944)
Funeral service and burial at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Manor Park. Grave reference: Square 278. Grave 111894.
Aircraft & Operation Details
In timeAircraft Type
Lancaster Mk.I
Serial Number
LM258
Aircraft Code
HA-Q
Squadron
218 (Gold Coast) Squadron
Station
Methwold
Date of Loss
1944-08-25
Operation Type
Operational
Target
V-1 flying bomb launch site, Vincly, France
Cause of Loss
Flak damage from anti-aircraft batteries at St Omer on return from V-1 site attack; crashed into sea off Felixstowe
Crew (8 members)
About the Crew
F/Lt Douglas Charles Haggis(age 25)Pilot
Body washed up at Fagbury Beach, Trimley St Martin, on 1 September 1944, a week after the crash.
A 25-year-old pilot from Britain, Haggis was commanding Lancaster LM258 on what would be his last mission against V-1 launch sites in France.
F/O Glyn Davies Mathias(age 25)Flight Engineer
Killed when Lancaster LM258 crashed into the sea off Felixstowe.
Sgt William Augustus Dyer(age 20)Navigator
Body found in Harwich Harbour on 1 September 1944.
F/O Charles Bryce Oxenham(age 20)Bomb Aimer
Killed when Lancaster LM258 crashed into the sea off Felixstowe. One of many Commonwealth airmen serving with 218 Squadron.
A 20-year-old New Zealander serving with the RNZAF, Oxenham was the bomb aimer aboard LM258. His story is told on the CWGC For Evermore website.
F/Sgt Ernest George Murray(age 26)Wireless Operator
Killed when Lancaster LM258 crashed into the sea off Felixstowe.
Sgt George Covell(age 20)Mid Upper Gunner
Killed when Lancaster LM258 crashed into the sea off Felixstowe.
Sgt Angus Craig(age 19)Rear Gunner
Craig was still alive when recovered from the sea but died three hours later from his injuries. The youngest crew member at just 19.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Felixstowe Town Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Woodbridge Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Felixstowe Town Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
Imperial War Museum register entry for the Lancaster LM258 memorial at Felixstowe Town Hall. Records the granite memorial unveiled in 2001 to commemorate the seven crew of 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron.
What you'll find: The poignant tribute: a granite memorial honoring the seven crew members of Lancaster LM258 at Felixstowe Town Hall.
Memorial reference 57032. Granite memorial unveiled at Felixstowe Town Hall in 2001.
Felixstowe Town CouncilRetrieved 2026-03-23
Felixstowe Town Council announcement of the 80th anniversary commemoration of Lancaster LM258. The aircraft was struck by flak near St Omer returning from a V-1 site attack at Vincly, France, and crashed into the sea near the town's New Pier on 25 August 1944.
What you'll find: Felixstowe Town Council's 80th anniversary commemoration of Lancaster LM258.
Aircraft attempted to reach RAF Woodbridge emergency landing ground. Witnessed circling Felixstowe with undercarriage lowered before crashing into the sea. Pilot Flt Lt Doug Haggis (age 25) was washed up at Fagbury Beach on 1 September 1944.
CWGC / For EvermoreRetrieved 2026-03-23
CWGC story of F/O Charles Bryce Oxenham, RNZAF bomb aimer aboard Lancaster LM258. Oxenham was 20 years old and from New Zealand, one of many Commonwealth airmen serving with 218 Squadron.
What you'll find: Explore CWGC story of F/O Charles Bryce Oxenham, RNZAF bomb aimer aboard Lancaster LM258, commemorating his sacrifice and service in WWII.
Crew included New Zealand and British personnel. Oxenham was RNZAF, serving with 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron.
IBCC Digital ArchiveRetrieved 2026-03-23
International Bomber Command Centre loss record for Lancaster LM258 HA-Q, listing Flt Lt Douglas Charles Haggis as pilot. Records the loss on 25 August 1944 during operations against V-1 sites.
What you'll find: Explore Felixstowe Lancaster Memorial: IBCC Digital Archive records Flt Lt Douglas Charles Haggis' tragic loss in LM258 HA-Q on 25 Aug 1944.
Aircraft code HA-Q. IBCC loss reference 211503.
Nearby Memorials
Sources
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Felixstowe Town Council (retrieved 2026-03-23)
CWGC / For Evermore (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IBCC Digital Archive (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Suffolk (website)
CWGC - F/O Charles Bryce Oxenham (database)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
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