Selby marks 70th anniversary of the crash of Halifax JB789

From the Diocese of York’s press release:
St James’ Church, Selby, are appealing to the people of Selby and surrounding areas of their memories of the night of 10th May 1944, when a plane hit the church’s spire, killing fifteen people.

The church is marking the 70th anniversary of the incident, which defined many Selby people’s memories of the Second World War. A Halifax bomber collided with the spire of St James’ Church and flattened a number of houses on Portholme Drive. The crew of five Australians and two RAF personnel were killed, as well as eight civilians.

The Revd Jason Reid, vicar of St James’ Church said, “The crash of 10th May 1944 was a horrible tragedy, which had awful repercussions for many Selby families. We want to mark the anniversary and remember those who died before God, and we need the help of folk from Selby.

“We’re hoping to create an exhibition in the church about the crash, and we want to hear from anyone who remembers the accident, or knew people who died. We’ll be holding a Service of Remembrance on Saturday 10th May at 2pm, seventy years and twelve hours after the tragedy occurred, and we hope lots of people from Selby will come to mark the anniversary.”