At this height, the aircraft was too low for the crew to safely bale out so the only option was to try and make a safe landing.
The Melton Mowbray Wellington Bomber Memorial Appeal has been set up to provide a lasting memory in recognition of the sacrifice the crew of Wellington LN281 gave on that fateful day of 13th August 1944 when 7 out of the 8 crew members lost their lives. LN281 left RAF Market Harborough on 13th Aug 1944 at 15:45Hrs for what was thought to be a routine cross country training flight followed by a bom
bing detail at Grimsthorpe Bombing Range. At some point during the sortie, the aircraft started to experience trouble with the starboard engine and overflew Melton Mowbray airfield at a height of 1000ft. Whilst trying to execute a large circuit on one engine and make an emergency landing at Melton airfield, the aircraft lost flying speed, stalled and crashed four miles from the airfield between Saxby Road and Thorpe Road in the Copley South field and burst into flames. In memory of the brave men who lost their lives
whilst serving their country
when their aircraft Wellington MkX LN281
of No. 14 O.T.U. RAF Market Harborough
crashed on 13TH August 1944
Staff Pilot Flg Off Norman Owen DFC Aged 26
Staff Navigator Plt Off Sydney Jack Guiver Aged 24
Pilot Sgt Edward Mansel Roberts Aged 20
Navigator Sgt William Marshall Thomas Aged 28
W/OP Sgt Robert McCudden Aged 19
Air Gunner Sgt Peter Robert Stafford Aged 20
Bomb Aimer Sgt Leonard Wilson Aged 21
Also
Air Gunner Sgt George Henry Raby
who was the only survivor and suffered serious injuries
