(Location via IWM) Lancaster Memorial
3.9 miles away
Derbyshire
Marchington Mk.X Memorial
Marchington, Staffordshire
Comprehensive Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Marchington Parish Council.
Type
Crash site memorial
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Marchington, Staffordshire, Staffordshire
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What Happened
On the afternoon of 13 June 1944 -- exactly one week after D-Day -- Wellington LP397 departed RAF Castle Donington on a routine cross-country training exercise. Twenty-five minutes into the flight, the aircraft entered a thunderstorm. The Wellington emerged from cloud in a steep, unrecoverable dive and crashed in a field beside Mayfield Parish Church. All six crew were killed instantly. Subsequent investigation found no evidence of structural failure, leading investigators to conclude the aircraft may have been struck by lightning. Of the six-man crew, five were Canadian; the exception was 31-year-old Sgt William Paterson, a Scotsman who was the oldest aboard. The youngest, 19-year-old air gunner James Stevens from Canada, had barely begun his training. Pilot Joseph Starr was 29 -- old for a bomber crew member -- and had travelled to England before the war to join the RAF. He is buried in Nottingham's Jewish Cemetery, while his Canadian crewmates rest at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey.
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
Peace Through StrengthAircraft Type
Wellington Mk.X
Serial Number
LP397
Squadron
28 OTU
Station
Castle Donington
Date of Loss
1944-06-13
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Possible lightning strike during thunderstorm; aircraft entered steep dive from cloud
Crew (7 members)
About the Crew
F/O Joseph Starr(age 29)Pilot
Killed instantly when the Wellington crashed beside Mayfield Parish Church after emerging from a thunderstorm in an unrecoverable dive.
Canadian pilot who had travelled to England before the war to join the RAF. At 29, old for a bomber crew member. Buried in Nottingham's Jewish Cemetery.
F/O George David Wills Buchanan(age 20)Navigator
Killed instantly in the crash beside Mayfield Parish Church.
Canadian navigator serving with the RCAF, aged 20.
Sgt William Corley Davis(age 22)Air Bomber
Killed instantly in the crash.
Canadian air bomber serving with the RCAF, aged 22.
Sgt William George Paterson(age 31)W/Op Air Gunner
From Torryburn, Fife, Scotland
Killed instantly in the crash. The oldest crew member at 31 and the only non-Canadian, a Scotsman.
Scottish wireless operator/air gunner, the oldest at 31 and the only non-Canadian. Buried at Torryburn Cemetery in his hometown.
Sgt Richard John Taylor(age 21)W/Op Air Gunner
Killed instantly in the crash.
Canadian wireless operator/air gunner serving with the RCAF, aged 21.
Sgt James Joseph Urban Stevens(age 19)Air Gunner
Killed instantly in the crash. The youngest crew member at 19, barely begun his training.
Canadian air gunner serving with the RCAF, the youngest at just 19.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Marchington Parish Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Stafford Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Marchington Parish Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrewremembered.comRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed account of the loss of Wellington X LP397 from 28 OTU on 13 June 1944. Documents F/O Joseph Starr's crew and the circumstances of the thunderstorm crash near Mayfield, Staffordshire. Confirms burial locations for all crew members.
What you'll find: Detailed account of Wellington X LP397 loss from 28 OTU on 13 June 1944 at Memorial: Marchington Mk.X.
28 OTU confirmed as unitLP397 serial confirmedJoseph Starr travelled to England pre-war to join RAFFour Canadians buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery
Peak District Air Accident ResearchRetrieved 2026-03-23
Technical and historical account of Wellington LP397 crash. The aircraft departed RAF Castle Donington on a cross-country training exercise and entered a thunderstorm 25 minutes later, with no evidence of structural failure found in investigation.
What you'll find: Explore detailed technical and historical analysis of Wellington LP397 air accident at Marchington Mk.X Memorial.
Departed RAF Castle DoningtonCrashed beside Mayfield Parish ChurchNo structural failure found
TracesOfWar.comRetrieved 2026-03-23
International war heritage entry documenting the Wellington LP397 crash memorial at Mayfield, Staffordshire, with photographs and location details.
What you'll find: Explore the international war heritage of Wellington LP397 crash memorial in Mayfield, Staffordshire, featuring detailed photos and location specifics.
Memorial documented on international heritage database
Waymarking.comRetrieved 2026-03-23
Waymark entry for the Wellington MK10 LP397 memorial near St John the Baptist Church, Mayfield. The memorial stone was placed in the churchyard approximately 200 yards from the crash site.
What you'll find: The Memorial: Marchington Mk.X Memorial at Waymarking.com, commemorating Wellington MK10 LP397 near St John the Baptist Church, Mayfield.
Memorial in churchyard of St John the Baptist, Mayfield200 yards from actual crash site
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrewremembered.com (retrieved 2026-03-24)
Peak District Air Accident Research (retrieved 2026-03-23)
TracesOfWar.com (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Waymarking.com (retrieved 2026-03-23)
aviationarchaeology.org.uk (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
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