Memorial Title

Crew of Whitley Bomber BD230

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial cross to the crew of Whitley Bomber BD230 at Mugginton, Derbyshire.

Images

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Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location:
Leasow Farm
Highfield La
Mugginton
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
DE6 4PQ

NGR:
SK 29517 43977 ±5m
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Location details:
The memorial lies on private farmland but is close to the public footpath on Bullhurst Hill between Highfield La and Burland Green La.

Type

Overall type: TYPE

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.

Description:

A sandstone botonné cross on a pedestal and plinth. The cross has the badge of the RAF in relief at the centre and the RAF motto in upright capital lettering in relief on the two side limbs. The battered pedestal has a moulded top and bears the inscription on the 6 o'clock face in upright capital block lettering. The plain plinth has a bevelled top. The memorial is surrounded by a gravel area retained by concrete kerbs accompanied by metal railings.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Cross	Sandstone	925	545	100	Fair
Pedestal	Sandstone	600	605	505	Fair
Plinth	Sandstone	815	750	610	Fair
Surround	Gravel	-	1920	1920	Fair
Kerbs	Concrete	c100	1920	1920	Fair
Railings	Metal	875	1920	1920	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Cross:

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	Second World War (1939-1945)	Totals
Action or event	Not stated
Number died *	2	2
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names *	2	2
* See Comments below.

PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

Pedestal:

THIS STONE WAS LAID
TO MARK THE LAST RESTING PLACE,
WHILST ON ACTIVE SERVICE, OF-
FLT/SGT. (PILOT) J. W. E. COOPER, AGED 24.
SGT. (NAVIGATOR) H. COWAN, AGED 21.
SGT,(W.OPERATOR) W. C. NORCROSS, AGED 21.
ALSO IN MEMORY OF
SGT, (BOMB AIMER) W. B. SMITH, AGED 21.
INTERRED ASHBOURNE.
AND SGT, (AIR GUNNER) M. M. LYON, AGED 18.
INTERRED ST. HELENS.
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN COMRADESHIP
ON JULY 24th. 1944.

Administration

Custodian: Believed to be the World War II Allied Air Crews and Historians Association.

Local authorities:
From WW2: Weston Underwood Parish Council; Belper Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Weston Underwood Parish Council; Amber Valley Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

c1945?: The bereaved families are said to have commissioned the memorial, which was designed and erected by Parsons & Sons of Derby, and a dedication service was held at the site.

c1978: The memorial was refurbished by the World War II Allied Air Crews and Historians Association.

5th December, 2008: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition and cared for.

References

Derby Evening Telegraph; 20th November 1978; p9: Letters regarding restoration and recent service, with photograph.

Peakland Air Crashes - The South; p167: An account of accident, site and crew.

Comments

Five crew were killed when the aircraft impacted at this site. Three were never recovered and the memorial marks the place where they lost their lives, effectively becoming their war grave and so not technically a war memorial. Two bodies were found and were interred elsewhere so this memorial is a war memorial to them.

The aircraft was an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Bomber.

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