Crews of Lancaster 4103 and Oxford LB415
0.5 miles away
Nottinghamshire
Screveton (1) W.4103 Memorial
Screveton (1), Nottinghamshire
Partial Record
Photographs
The Memorial
It is maintained by Screveton Parish Meeting.
Type
Memorial stone
Inscription
Could you help us fill in the inscription?
LocationApproximate Location
Screveton (1), Nottinghamshire, Nottinghamshire
what3words: ///winks.basics.wage
What Happened
Flying a training sortie from RAF Syerston, Lancaster I W4103 of 5 Lancaster Finishing School collided mid-air with a second training aircraft at 1,000 feet over the Nottinghamshire village of Screveton on 14 April 1944. The Lancaster, piloted by Flying Officer Henry Holmes Richardson — a 28-year-old Canadian instructor holding the DFM — was destroyed along with its crew of nine. A second aircraft, an Oxford whose crew included Flight Lieutenant James Addison Hawkins, was also lost in the collision. All eleven men aboard both aircraft were killed. The Lancaster crew included Flight Engineer Henry Ernest Herbert and Pilot Under Training Sidney Stokoe, both aged 19, alongside crew members from Britain, Canada, and Australia ranging up to 28 years of age.
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
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Share remembrance informationAircraft & Operation Details
Aircraft Type
Lancaster I W4103
Squadron
5 LFSStation
Syerston
Date of Loss
1944-04-14
Operation Type
Training
Cause of Loss
Mid-air collision between the two training aircraft at 1,000 feet
Crew (11 members)
About the Crew
F/O Henry Holmes Richardson(age 28)Pilot InstructorDFM
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision at 1,000 feet over Screveton. As pilot instructor, he was the most experienced crew member.
Canadian pilot instructor serving with the RCAF, aged 28. Held the Distinguished Flying Medal, indicating previous operational experience before being posted to instruct at 5 LFS.
P/O Patrick William Laidler(age 28)Pupil Pilot
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision.
Australian airman serving with the RAAF, aged 28. Was training on Lancasters at the finishing school before being posted to an operational squadron.
Sgt Henry Ernest Herbert(age 19)Flight Engineer
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision. One of the two youngest crew members at 19.
Young flight engineer serving with the RAFVR, just 19 years old. Buried alongside Richardson and Laidler at Oxford.
F/O Peter William Raymond Holes(age 22)Navigator
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision at 1,000 feet.
Navigator serving with the RAFVR, aged 22.
F/O David Winchester McRuer(age 22)Air Bomber
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision.
Air bomber serving with the RAFVR, aged 22.
Sgt Glyn Robert Aspinall(age 20)W/Op Air Gunner
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision.
Wireless operator/air gunner serving with the RAFVR, known as 'Bob', aged 20.
Sgt Frederick William Edwards(age 22)Air Gunner
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision.
Air gunner serving with the RAFVR, aged 22.
Sgt Victor Charles William Arras Gouldstone(age 27)Air Gunner
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision.
Air gunner serving with the RAFVR, aged 27.
AC2 Sidney Stokoe(age 19)Pilot Under Training
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision. One of the two youngest at 19, he had barely begun his pilot training.
Trainee pilot serving with the RAFVR, just 19 years old. As an Aircraftman 2nd Class, he was the most junior crew member.
Fl/Lt James Addison Hawkins(age 22)Pilot Instructor (Oxford LB415)
Thrown from the Oxford aircraft by the collision and parachuted to the ground. Rushed to RAF Quarrington Hospital in Sleaford but died from his injuries later the same day.
Pilot instructor from 1521 BAT Flight at RAF Wymeswold, serving with the RAFVR, aged 22. Was flying the Airspeed Oxford that collided with the Lancaster.
F/O Bryan Hedley Dennis(age 21)Pilot Under Training (Oxford LB415)
Killed instantly in the mid-air collision aboard Airspeed Oxford LB415.
Trainee pilot from 1521 BAT Flight at RAF Wymeswold, serving with the RAFVR, aged 21.
Memorial Care
parish council
Organisation
Screveton Parish Meeting
Local Contacts
These local organisations are connected to this memorial and may be able to help with information or visits.
Bingham Royal British Legionbritish legion
Local remembrance and memorial support
Screveton Parish Meetingparish council
Local authority responsible for memorial upkeep
Further Reading
Aircrew RememberedRetrieved 2026-03-24
Detailed crew page for 5 LFS Lancaster I W4103 piloted by F/O Richardson DFM. The mid-air collision with Airspeed Oxford LB415 from 1521 BAT Flight occurred at 1,000 feet over Screveton at 16:30 during a daytime dual flying exercise, killing all aboard both aircraft.
What you'll find: Detailed crew page for Lancaster I W4103 piloted by F/O Richardson DFM involved in mid-air collision near Screveton.
Collision at 1,000 feet altitudeOxford aircraft was LB415 from 1521 BAT Flight at RAF WymeswoldBoth aircraft pilots steered away from villageCollision occurred 40 minutes into exercise
TracesOfWar.comRetrieved 2026-03-23
International memorial database entry for the Screveton aircraft collision memorial. Documents the stone memorial dedicated on 13 November 2005 commemorating all 11 crew from both aircraft.
What you'll find: The international memorial database entry for the Screveton aircraft collision memorial at TracesOfWar.com.
Memorial dedicated 13 November 2005Commemorates all 11 men from both aircraft
Visit NottinghamshireRetrieved 2026-03-23
Nottinghamshire Aviation Memorials guide including the Screveton collision memorial.
What you'll find: Explore Nottinghamshire's aviation memorials, featuring the poignant Screveton collision memorial.
Part of Nottinghamshire aviation memorials trailDense airfield network created collision risk
Notts Villages BlogRetrieved 2026-03-23
Village history blog documenting the Screveton collision as a significant event in the village's history.
What you'll find: The historical impact of the Screveton collision on this village's past through detailed documentation.
Memorial research started by childhood witnessSignificant event in village history
Nearby Memorials
Sources
Aircrew Remembered (retrieved 2026-03-24)
TracesOfWar.com (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Visit Nottinghamshire (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Notts Villages Blog (retrieved 2026-03-23)
Geograph (website)
Aircrew Remembered - Richardson Henry (website)
Credits & Acknowledgements
Record compiled by
Keith Binley
Last updated 2026-03-23
Do you have additional information, photographs, or corrections for this record? We welcome contributions from researchers, families, and local communities.
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This record for Screveton (1) W.4103 Memorial is partially complete. We’re looking for additional details such as crew information, photographs, narrative history, or source references.
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