A poignant ceremony took place by the Humber Estuary in Hull this weekend, as the crew of the Avro Lancaster ND861 were honoured 80 years after their tragic loss. On the 4th of January 1945, the aircraft, en route on a routine training flight from RAF Elsham Wolds, encountered a sudden blizzard and crashed into the Humber, killing all six airmen on board.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, was a solemn occasion, with attendees dressed smartly as they gathered near The Deep, the striking aquarium by the river. A lone bagpiper, wearing a kilt, played Highland Cathedral, filling the air with a sense of reverence and reflection. Several flagbearers stood beside him, while the Humber Estuary stretched out in the background, offering a quiet reminder of the location where the wreckage and the crew’s final resting place remain.
Honouring the Fallen
The Avro Lancaster, a key bomber aircraft in the RAF during World War Two, had taken off from RAF Elsham Wolds for what should have been a routine training exercise. However, just 16 minutes into the flight, disaster struck as the aircraft was caught in a blizzard, causing the crew to crash into the Humber. Despite a search operation, the bodies of the airmen were never recovered.
On the exact date and time of the crash, The Last Post was played, and a wreath was laid at Victoria Pier in Hull, marking the moment when the six men lost their lives. The airmen—Acting Flying Officer Christopher Weight, aged 31, and crew members George Widdicombe (32), Henry Backway (21), Clifford Hillier (20), Cyril Lloyd (19), and Maurice Pickersgill (21)—were members of 103 Squadron. Their bravery, and ultimate sacrifice, were honoured with a moment of silence at the ceremony.
The only member of the crew not on board that day was the gunner sergeant, who did not participate in the mission. The tragedy remains a part of the area’s wartime legacy, with the wreckage of the aircraft and the men’s final resting place still lying in the river, close to Hull’s port.
A Lasting Tribute
In memory of the fallen airmen, the International Bomber Command Centre has spearheaded a national effort to create a permanent memorial. A competition has been launched to design the tribute, with the winning design set to be revealed on 8 May, as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day.
Nicky van der Drift OBE, CEO of the International Bomber Command Centre, expressed the significance of the memorial:
“This memorial will ensure these six brave airmen—forever part of our shared history—are remembered for their ultimate sacrifice.”
RAF Elsham Wolds, a base near Scunthorpe, remains a place of remembrance. During World War Two, the base tragically lost 208 Lancaster bombers, cementing its place in the annals of British military history.
As the tribute ceremony concluded, it was clear that these six airmen, though lost to history, would never be forgotten.
