Handley Page Halifax LV955
5.1 miles away
Norfolk
Houghton St. Martin Lancaster Memorial
Houghton St. Martin, Norfolk
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Houghton Parish Council.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Houghton St. Martin, Norfolk, Norfolk
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What Happened
Took off from RAF Binbrook at 16:15 On the return journey from the target the aircraft crashed at approx 20:00 near Bircham Newton, North Wootton, Norfolk, about 4 miles North of Kings Lynn, UK. All the crew were killed with the exception of Flt Sgt Cannon (RAAF) who was injured and survived the crash. A subsequent court of inquiry reported ‘The aircraft was returning from a sortie on the night of 23 October 1944 when it struck cloud up to 20,000 feet in which the icing index was high. The Pilot descended through the cloud on track and hit a tree 70 feet high in Houghton Hall Park. The aircraft was extensively damaged and burnt. The Rear Gunner Bergelin was alive and trapped in the rear turret seriously injured. He died in hospital the same night. The rest of the crew were killed with the exception of Cannon who was unconscious under a tree all night and went unaided to Houghton Hall the next morning. He was admitted to Sick Quarters and recovered. The main cause of the accident was the weather with contributory factors being loss of the ASI and the pilot’s altimeter if static vent frozen
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
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
Strike and returnAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
PB351
Squadron
460 (RAAF) SquadronStation
Binbrook
Date of Loss
1944-10-23
Crew (8 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Houghton Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Sedgeford & District Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Houghton Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed page on P/O Denis Richard Garth Richins RAAF (aged 22) and his crew of Lancaster PB351 (coded AR-H2). The aircraft departed Binbrook at 16:15 on 23 October 1944 for a bombing raid on Essen, the largest operation to the city with 1,055 aircraft participating. On return, the crew was diverted to Bircham Newton due to poor conditions at base. During the approach, PB351 hit a 70-foot tree in the grounds of Houghton Hall and crashed at 21:56.
What you'll find: Explore detailed account of P/O Denis Richard Garth Richins RAAF and Lancaster PB351 crew's tragic mission in Aircrew Remembered.
Target was Essen, 1,055 aircraft operationDiverted to Bircham NewtonHit 70-foot tree in Houghton Hall grounds at 21:56Pilot Richins aged 22
Aviation Safety NetworkRetrieved 2026-03-23
The Aviation Safety Network records the accident of Lancaster Mk III PB351 on 23 October 1944, confirming the crash location and circumstances during the diversion approach.
What you'll find: Explore detailed report on Lancaster Mk III PB351's tragic 1944 accident at Houghton St. Martin Memorial via Aviation Safety Network.
ASN accident record confirmed
GeographRetrieved 2026-03-23
Photographic record of the aircrew crash memorial at Houghton St Martin, showing the memorial stone in its setting near Houghton Hall, Norfolk.
What you'll find: Explore photographic records of Houghton St Martin Lancaster Memorial's serene landscape and poignant tribute to fallen aircrews.
Photographic record of memorial stone
Aviation Heritage Museum (Western Australia)Retrieved 2026-03-23
The Australian Aviation Heritage Museum records crew member details for the RAAF personnel aboard PB351, including references to the 460 Squadron RAAF service records and loss circumstances.
What you'll find: Crew member details of RAAF personnel aboard PB351 at the Australian Aviation Heritage Museum's Western Australia site.
Australian heritage records for RAAF crew members
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Aviation Safety Network (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Aviation Heritage Museum (Western Australia) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph Norfolk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-21
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