9th July 2023 - A Lancaster Memorial Service, Parson Drove

An emotional day to commemorate the lives of WWII heroes killed in a plane crash 80 years ago ended with a nostalgic fly past.

One of only two Lancaster bombers currently flying in the world graced the skies over Parson Drove on Sunday to mark the conclusion of an afternoon of remembrance for the crew of one of the aircraft that crashed into the darkened fields off Sealey Lane at 1.40am on July 9 1943.

Bill Welbourne one of a dedicated committee who helped organise the event explained the day was poignant not only because it was remembering the lives lost, but because members of the families whose relatives died in the crash were also present – some having travelled from Australia.