Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

RCAF Crew of RAF Vickers Wellington HE821 and PO H S Keeton
Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial tablet to RCAF Crew of RAF Vickers Wellington HE821 and PO H S Keeton at Creswell Crags Visitor Centre, Derbyshire.
Images
Setting Memorial Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.
Locations
Last known location:
Car Park
Creswell Crags Visitor Centre
Crags Rd
Creswell
Derbyshire 		Nearest postcode:
S80 4AG

NGR:
SK 54040 74466 ±5m
(Map opens in new window.) 		Location details:
At the eastern end of the car park.
Type
Overall type: Tablet Overall condition: Pristine The inscription is legible and the memorial was new when surveyed.
Description:

A freestanding limestone tablet and two stepped base. The tablet has the badge of the RCAF at top left and a Wellington bomber in relief at top right. The incised inscription is in upright capital block lettering coloured black.

Glossary 		Components:

Component Material Height Width Depth Condition
Tablet Limestone 1040 930 150 Pristine
Base Limestone 200 1220 460 Pristine
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
THIS MEMORIAL
IS DEDICATED TO THE FIVE
CANADIAN AIRCREW
WHO DIED WHEN THEIR WELLINGTON BOMBER
FROM RAF GAMSTON CRASHED CLOSE TO THIS PLACE
ON THE 5TH AUGUST 1944
NAVIGATOR - LOWELL M. BREHAULT P.O.AGED 21
WIRELESS OP./ AIR GUNNER - JAMES R. CLARKE SGT.AGED 20
BOMB AIMER - WALTER W. COOPER F.O.AGED 32
BOMB AIMER - JOHN J. LEE SGT.AGED 19
PILOT - WILLIS D. MURDIE W.O.1.AGED 26
THIS MEMORIAL WAS DONATED BY MR. JOSEPH ARTHUR PLANT
IN MEMORY OF HIS CLOSE FRIEND - RAF PILOT OFFICER
HERBERT SYDNEY KEETON OF CRESWELL
WHO WAS KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE ON 30TH MAY 1942		AGED 21
Conflicts and people named:
Conflict Second World War (1939-1945) Totals
Action Not stated
Number died 6 6
Number served and returned 0 0
Total names 6 6
Administration
Custodian: Not known

Local authorities:
From 1974: Whitwell Parish Council, Bolsover District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 2012: Hodthorpe and Belph Parish Council, Bolsover District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
History and Conservation
c2010: The memorial was commissioned by Mr Gerald Plant on behalf of his late brother Joseph Plant who had left a legacy to fund the project.

21st May, 2011; The memorial was unveiled in the presence of Mr James Wright, Canadian High Commissioner.

19th July, 2011: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in pristine condition.
References
The Telegraph; 21st May, 2011: a report on the unveiling ceremony.

Ripley and Heanor News; 23rd May, 2011: a report on the unveiling ceremony.
Comments
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