Handley Page Halifax JB848
0.4 miles away
Antrim
Pocklington Lancaster Memorial
Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire
Comprehensive Record
The Memorial
It is maintained by Pocklington Town Council.
Type
Memorial bench and crash site marker
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire
what3words: ///prove.notch.feasting
What Happened
Lancaster ED393 of 50 Squadron departed Skellingthorpe on the night of 26 November 1943, bound for Berlin. Diverted to Melbourne airfield near Pocklington due to thick fog, the aircraft subsequently crashed when Pilot Officer Joseph Watson Thompson lost control on takeoff — the Lancaster stalled, inverted, and came down at Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Thompson, holder of the Distinguished Flying Medal and aged just 20, was among five crew members killed; two further crew survived with injuries, and two civilians on the ground also lost their lives. The dead included Navigator Flight Sergeant Stanley Chapman, aged 22, Bomb Aimer Flight Sergeant John Ralph Conlon, aged 21, and Flight Engineer Sergeant Reginald Walter Laws, aged 20.
Community Connection
Civilian casualties: Gertrude Bird, C. B. Corbett, Percy Paulucy Hopkinson were killed when the aircraft crashed into houses near Melbourne airfield. This memorial serves as a tangible link to the war, fostering a sense of community connection through remembrance. This story highlights the community's collective experience of fear and resilience during wartime.
Remembrance
The crew of this aircraft are remembered at the annual No. 50 & No. 61 Squadrons Association memorial service at Skellingthorpe, near their wartime base. The 2026 service takes place on 7 June — Birchwood memorial at 11:30, village memorial at 14:00.
Memorial Service(2026-06-07)
Service at Birchwood memorial at 11.30, followed by service at the village memorial at 14.00
Last known event: 2026
Aircraft & Operation Details
From defence to attackAircraft Type
Lancaster
Serial Number
ED393
Squadron
50 SquadronStation
Skellingthorpe
Date of Loss
1943-11-26
Operation Type
Operational
Target
Operational -- bombing Berlin
Cause of Loss
Pilot lost control on takeoff; aircraft stalled, inverted and crashed
Crew (8 members)
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Pocklington Town Council
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Pocklington Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Pocklington Town Councilparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Imperial War MuseumsRetrieved 2026-03-23
IWM War Memorials Register entry for the crew of Lancaster Bomber ED393 memorial at Pocklington. Records the stone of remembrance dedicated by HH 'Charlie' Ross, a witness to the crash.
What you'll find: The poignant story of Lancaster Bomber ED393's crew and their memorial at Pocklington.
IWM memorial reference 99090Dedicated by crash witness HH 'Charlie' Ross
Yorkshire Aircraft (yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk)Retrieved 2026-03-23
Detailed account of Lancaster ED393 VN-K of 50 Squadron. The aircraft diverted from fog-bound Lincolnshire to Yorkshire on return from Berlin, lost height in landing circuit and crashed at Canal Head, Pocklington, destroying the Canal Head public house and cottages on Ramsdale Terrace.
What you'll find: Explore detailed history of Lancaster ED393 VN-K crash at Canal Head due to fog conditions.
Aircraft code VN-KDiverted due to fog over LincolnshireCrashed at Canal Head destroying public house and cottagesCrashed during landing circuit
No. 50 & No. 61 Squadrons AssociationRetrieved 2026-03-23
Squadron association memorial page for ED393 VN-K at Pocklington. Provides detailed context from the squadron's perspective, including the Berlin operation that night and the diversion circumstances.
What you'll find: Explore Memorial: Discover Detailed Context on ED393 VN-K's Berlin Operation and Diversion at Lancaster Link.
Listed on squadron association memorial pagePart of 50 Squadron's Berlin operations November 1943
Pocklington History GroupRetrieved 2026-03-23
Local history group research into wartime aircraft crashes around Pocklington, including the ED393 crash at Canal Head. Provides community perspective on the impact of multiple crashes on the town during the war.
What you'll find: Explore local history group's research on wartime aircraft crashes in Pocklington, focusing on the Canal Head incident and its community impact.
Local history group maintains detailed crash recordsMultiple wartime crashes documented around Pocklington
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Imperial War Museums (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Yorkshire Aircraft (yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk) (retrieved 2026-03-23)
No. 50 & No. 61 Squadrons Association (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Pocklington History Group (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph / IWM (memorial/99090) (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