Lancaster recovery in The Netherlands

The revealing of the memorial took place shortly after the funeral service with military honours of Sgt. John Keogh, in the presence of his family and all those who contributed in some way to his recovery and identification in 2014. More (including a video) here: http://www.bd.nl/regio/waalwijk-heusden-e-o/werkendam/monument-voor-crew-van-neergestorte-lancaster-bij-werkendam-onthuld-video-1.6154356

What a beautiful and moving memorial.
Thank you for sharing this.

🙂 Thank you for posting ,very moving -R I P

Today a memorial for this Lancaster was unveiled: http://www.wo2actueel.nl/artikel/4933/Onthulling-monument-Lancaster-LM508.htm

Built by Avro at Yeadon;

“Part of the fifth production batch of 350 aircraft built by A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd., Yeadon, Yorkshire (being the second part of Contract No. 1807, and the first part of Works Order No. 8589). First 10 aircraft LM301-LM310 built as Mk.I’s, the remainder built as Mk.III’s: LM311-LM346, LM359-LM395, LM417-LM448, LM450-LM493, LM508-LM552, LM569-LM599, LM615-LM658, LM671-LM697 and LM713-LM756. Deliveries commenced 11-42; completed 10-44 (average rate of production, approximately 3.6 aircraft per week).”

From http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_prod_avro2.htm

Thanks for that, Have bookmarked the site for the future

Thanks Eric,
He can finally be laid to rest.
Cheers
Cees
(arg1940-1945)

Very interesting recovery, I would like to know when and where Lancaster LM508 was built, I have tried searching the net but cannot find any information, can anyone suggest where to look?

Built by Avro at Yeadon;

“Part of the fifth production batch of 350 aircraft built by A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd., Yeadon, Yorkshire (being the second part of Contract No. 1807, and the first part of Works Order No. 8589). First 10 aircraft LM301-LM310 built as Mk.I’s, the remainder built as Mk.III’s: LM311-LM346, LM359-LM395, LM417-LM448, LM450-LM493, LM508-LM552, LM569-LM599, LM615-LM658, LM671-LM697 and LM713-LM756. Deliveries commenced 11-42; completed 10-44 (average rate of production, approximately 3.6 aircraft per week).”

From http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_prod_avro2.htm

Very interesting recovery, I would like to know when and where Lancaster LM508 was built, I have tried searching the net but cannot find any information, can anyone suggest where to look?

The date for the service of Sgt. Keogh has been set: June 30th, 2016. His last resting place will be in Werkendam cemetery, next to his fellow crew member F/S Duff.

What an epic time capsule, so glad she was found and salvaged.

Bill T.

A remarkable recovery.

Hi All,
erickmunk,
Excellent video grab a bit thought provoking from Time: 10:05 to 10:10, if the map correctly shows the 18 aircraft that went down, the men lost in just that one area of land shown on the map is just unimaginable and sad to think of those they left behind multiplies that number by a fair deal.
Just that one area of land scale it up to all all those lives lost not just on our side but all sides of the conflict and makes you ask if it was all worth it looking at the world we live in these days so sad. On a happier note they did locate the missing Sgt. Keogh’s after all these years and I suppose that is the positive side that should be the taken from this story here the final chapter that has been waiting for the relatives of Sgt. Keogh’s can now be closed. Well done to all involved in the recovery and discovery of Sgt. Keogh may he rest in peace now.

Geoff.

Good news for Sgt Keogh’s family.

The video shows what good condition the wreck is in and also the complexity of the Lanc. Well done to the team.

Well done to all involved.

And the good news is that Sgt. Keogh has now been formally identified, and will be buried with honours in the near future…

Actually, seven bailed out in this case, one of whom subsequently died. This Lanc carried a crew of eight as it was an ABC-aircraft.

A video (not mine) showing the highlights of what has been found so far. Shot last Saturday. Basically the remains of a whole Lancaster have been pulled out of the ground. The rear turret is very poignant as this was Sgt. Keogh’s station.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRd1AIbd9wo

This will be a particularly worthwhile dig especially for any surviving relatives of Sgt Keogh. Well done so far to those involved.

It indeed is. An earlier newspaper article highlights this: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Second-World-War-Hull-airman-laid-rest-70-years/story-20618762-detail/story.html

After having spent a very sobering half hour in the BBMF Lancaster (on the ground unfortunately) it seems miraculous that six of the crew got out successfully. All the Bomber Command aircrew were absolute heroes.

And as ever, thank you to the Dutch for the lengths they are willing to go to search for the remains of the missing.

Actually, seven bailed out in this case, one of whom subsequently died. This Lanc carried a crew of eight as it was an ABC-aircraft.

LM508 101 Sqdn coded SR:P Missing 22 June 1944. Non ABC equipped.

After having spent a very sobering half hour in the BBMF Lancaster (on the ground unfortunately) it seems miraculous that six of the crew got out successfully. All the Bomber Command aircrew were absolute heroes.

And as ever, thank you to the Dutch for the lengths they are willing to go to search for the remains of the missing.