Lancaster bomber crash: ‘Don’t build windfarm on war grave’ 

Concerns have been raised that wind turbines could be built on top of an unmarked Second World War grave.

REG Windpower wants to build six wind turbines on land near Marsh Road in Crowle, but worries have been aired about the location.

A consultation is currently ongoing before plans are submitted later this year.

Trevor Barker, North Lincolnshire ward councillor for Axholme North, is worried one of the turbines might be erected on top of an unmarked war grave.

On April 5, 1945 a Lancaster bomber crashed during a training exercise from Sandtoft, killing all seven members of the crew.

Five were laid to rest in Harrogate, but two of the airmen were never found – and were left buried with the wreckage.

Mr Barker said: “The training flight involved a crew of seven Australian airmen, who had been retraining from two-engine to four-engine bombers.

“They had been on a night exercise in Scotland and were returning to Sandtoft when they missed the aerodrome.

“Their Lancaster bomber went to come back round, but couldn’t get enough height, and crashed just off Marsh Road.

“All of the plane’s occupants were killed, with five of them buried in the Commonwealth grave at Harrogate. Two were never found after the crash and were left in the aircraft underground. Their names are on the memorial at Runnymede, along with thousands of other airmen with no known grave.”

Mr Barker has organised a meeting with REG Windpower in the coming weeks, where he will take them to the area to see how close the proposed turbine is to the crash site.

He is, however, adamant that it won’t go ahead if the turbine is too close to the grave.

“When I establish with the wind farm people where it is, I can give them an indication if there is a problem,” he said.

“There is no actual marker, but the horses used to plough around the area to leave it undisturbed until the plane sank low enough into the ground. I am worried about it because I wouldn’t want a turbine to be built within at least 50 metres of the site.

“It is vitally important to preserve the site. The two that are still buried there were Australians, coming all this way to look after us. We should respect their final resting place.

“Even though it is unmarked, it is still a war grave. It is just as important as any other.

“I think the people of Crowle would agree and I am speaking for them. I don’t want the site disturbing.”

Simon Morgan, from REG Windpower, said: “We are currently undertaking extensive studies for our proposed site at Old River Don, including archaeological research, and are consulting with the local community about our proposals.

“One of the purposes of this local consultation is that it enables us to take local knowledge into account when designing wind farms capable of generating significant quantities of renewable electricity. We would welcome any information that the local community has about the site.

“We are planning another set of public exhibitions in the early summer, prior to submitting a planning application. Local residents will be able to view our proposals and ask any questions to the project team.”