20/09/2026
Today marks the 82nd anniversary of a tragic accident that happened in the sky over Earls Colne and Gt Tey. On this day, 20th September 1944, two Lancaster Avro Bombers, LM167 and LL802, on a mission to Calais from Mildenhall, collided, killing all 15 crew members. The story was nearly lost to history, but a chance discovery of a newspaper article led to the research of the story, the er****on of a monument to the crew and contact with three living sons and a daughter alongside many other relatives. In 2024 a memorial service was held and the families attended. Last years planned RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast by the Lancaster was cancelled at the last moment due to poor weather conditions. Earls Colne Heritage Museum still plans to arrange another flypast as soon as the Lancaster, one of only two, comes back into service after major in depth service in 2027. Full coverage of the story and Memorial Service can be found on the museum’s website. A small booklet ’15 Remembered’ is also available. The memorial can be found on the corner of America Rd and Tey Rd, opposite Chalkney Wood.
https://echm.org.uk/lancaster-lm167-ll802-memorial
