WELLINGTON BOMBER T2802 MEMORIAL, STANTON

We were honoured to attend and support the unveiling of a memorial commemorating the lives of the nine crew/observers that died onboard Wellington aircraft T2802 that crashed in Stanton on the 24th of May 1942 whilst on a training exercise. Padre Jo led the remembrance ceremony and a small representation by the RBL, RAFA & RAF Air Cadets (City of Cambridge) with their standards, and local residents attended to support the visiting relatives of those who lost their lives onboard the Wellington.

20 May 2023

The aircraft crashed at Upthorpe, Stanton, between Wrenshall and Potash (Vajrasana Buddhist Retreat) Farms on the 24th of May 1942 at 1602hrs whilst on a flight and experience training exercise, practicing evasive manoeuvres simulated by an “attacking” Spitfire. After three steep turns at 6000ft structural failure occurred in the starboard outer wing which fell away to the ground. Survival at such a low altitude was impossible. Wellington T2802 was the first of 20 Wellingtons to have had a structural wing failure in flight during WWII. It was based at RAF Newmarket but flew from RAF Duxford on the fateful day followed by the Spitfire. In the mid 1990’s an archaeological dig recovered several parts of the plane which are now with local museums.