New memorial will honour Motherwell airman who died in plane crash in World War 2

Sergeant John McConnell (19), who was an air gunner in 550 Squadron, was on one of two Lancaster Bombers heading for a bombing raid on Berlin on Christmas Eve, 1943, after taking off from RAF Grimbsy.

However, the foray would end in catastrophe when both aircraft collided on the ascent over in the village of Fulstow.

And now villagers are seeing to create a memorial to those who never returned from that mission.

Organiser Nicola Pike explained: “Both planes were absolutely loaded with bombs so you can imagine the explosion.

“All 14 airmen were killed and I want to put a memorial up for them at the site.

“I have all the information on the crash site and all the airmen who were killed in the crash.

“Sergeant McConnell was the son of James and Jessie McConnell of Motherwell.

“ I just want to find his relatives to inform them about the fact that a memorial is being created to honour them.”

The memorial is being crowdfunded and Nicola aims to unveil this in time for Remembrance Sunday next year in this rural site –in a part of England known as “the bomber county” because of its high concentration of air bases.

Anyone with further information is asked to email Nicola via [email protected].

Sergeant McConnell’s grave can be seem in Airbles cemetery.