Crew Of Lancaster Ll811 Bq J And Their Comrades
14.3 miles away
Lincolnshire
Holmpton L.7523 Memorial
Holmpton, East Riding of Yorkshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Holmpton Parish Council.
Type
Physical memorial
Inscription
This Plaque Is Dedicated to the Crew of Avro Manchester L7523 Em:m of No. 207 Squadron, Bomber Command, Royal Air Force, Who All Perished When Their Aircraft Crashed on MILL Hill at 20.44 on the 14th January 1942. [crew names inscribed on memorial] THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD AS WE WHO ARE LEFT GROW OLD. Age Shall Not Weary Them, nor the Years Condemn, at the Going Down of the Sun, and in the Morning, We Will Remember Them.
LocationApproximate Location
Holmpton, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
what3words: ///urgent.potions.masks
What Happened
On the night of 14 January 1942, Avro Manchester L7523, coded EM-M, departed Bottesford with 207 Squadron RAF on operations and came down at Holmpton in the East Riding of Yorkshire. All seven crew members were killed. Flight Sergeant Basil Courtney Wescombe, aged 25, was the aircraft's pilot. Among those who died was Observer Sergeant Eric Ronald Harper, aged 19, alongside Sergeant John Thomas Howe, Flight Sergeant Leonard Sieve, Flight Sergeant Frederick Edward Thomas, Sergeant Maurice Robert Walker, and Sergeant Claude Raymond Westbury. A memorial to the Wescombe crew was dedicated at the ancient village church in Holmpton on 7 November 2009.
Community Connection
Kevin Mapley and his wife Nikki represented 207 Squadron Royal Air Force Association.
Remembrance
Memorial Service
A memorial service to remember the crew of Avro Manchester L7523. The text does not provide specific details about the event.
Recruiting Centre Visits(20th May 1940)
Eric visited the No.4 Recruiting Centre at Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
Transfer to Linton and Joining No.5 Initial Training Wing(7th June 1940)
Eric transferred to Linton and joined No.5 Initial Training Wing.
Stationed at Torquay(28th June - End of October 1940)
Eric stayed at Torquay for training.
Aircraft & Operation Details
Semper paratusAircraft Type
Avro Manchester L.7523
Serial Number
L7523
Squadron
207 SquadronStation
Bottesford
Date of Loss
1942-01-14
Crew (11 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Holmpton Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Withernsea Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Holmpton Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
207 Squadron RAF HistoryRetrieved 2026-03-23
The 207 Squadron history website maintains a dedicated page for the Holmpton crash. Manchester L7523 (coded EM-M) took off from RAF Bottesford at 17:35 on 14 January 1942, some 15 minutes late due to a technical problem, tasked with attacking the Blohm and Voss shipyards in Hamburg. The aircraft was seen with its port engine on fire before crashing on Mill Hill, half a mile from the Rocket House at Holmpton.
What you'll find: Detailed history of the Holmpton crash involving Manchester L7523 on 207 Squadron RAF History website.
Target was Blohm and Voss shipyards, HamburgDeparted 15 minutes late due to technical issuePort engine seen on fireCrashed on Mill Hill crest
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Aircrew Remembered provides a detailed crew page for Flt Sgt Basil Courtney Wescombe and his six fellow crew members. The inquest established that L7523 had jettisoned its bomb load over the sea, and concluded the aircraft had probably sustained battle damage from enemy action, forcing an early return.
What you'll find: The detailed account of Flt Sgt Basil Courtney Wescombe's crew from Aircrew Remembered, including their memorial at Holmpton L.7523.
Bombs jettisoned over sea before crashBattle damage from enemy action suspectedInquest held at local farm
IWM War Memorials RegisterRetrieved 2026-03-23
The IWM registers the Holmpton memorial commemorating Avro Manchester L7523 of No. 207 Squadron Bomber Command. The memorial was dedicated on 7 November 2009 at Holmpton Church, East Yorkshire.
What you'll find: The dedication ceremony and history of Avro Manchester L7523 at Holmpton's War Memorial.
IWM memorial reference 61182Memorial dedicated 7 November 2009 at Holmpton Church
CWGCRetrieved 2026-03-23
The CWGC features a detailed story about Flight Sergeant Basil Courtney Wescombe (service number 523056) of 207 Squadron RAF, providing verified burial details and service history for the pilot of Manchester L7523.
What you'll find: Detailed biography and verified burial information for Flight Sergeant Basil Courtney Wescombe at CWGC's Memorial page.
CWGC story page for WescombeService number 523056 confirmed
IBCC Digital ArchiveRetrieved 2026-03-23
The International Bomber Command Centre features a story about Sergeant Eric Ronald Harper, one of the crew members killed aboard Manchester L7523, providing personal background and service history.
What you'll find: Personal account of Sergeant Eric Ronald Harper's life and service on Manchester L7523 at IBCC Digital Archive.
IBCC story on crew member Sgt Eric Ronald Harper
Nearby Memorials
Sources
207 Squadron RAF History (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
IWM War Memorials Register (retrieved 2026-03-23)
CWGC (retrieved 2026-03-23)
IBCC Digital Archive (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-04-09
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
Suggest a correction or addition