Hampden Crew Remembered at Northrepps

Eight decades have passed since the early morning peace in a north Norfolk village was shattered by the crash of a Handley Page Hampden bomber of 44 Squadron, based at RAF Waddington. In the woods of Northrepps, close to a shooting lodge called Templewood, there is a simple memorial paying tribute to the Hampden crew that crashed there at 0620 hours on 20 November 1940. Of the four crew members onboard, three died in the crash. The fourth survived to continue serving with the RAF until the end of the war.

Sergeant Stanley Elliott, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.

The aircraft, which had been severely damaged, was returning from a bombing mission on one engine and in atrocious weather. The pilot, Sgt Jack Ottaway, demonstrated exemplary airmanship and great courage in nursing his crippled aircraft back across the North Sea, trading height for speed, but eventually lost control shortly after crossing the Norfolk coast. Sgt Ottaway was killed in the crash, along with the navigator, Pilot Officer Archie Kerr and Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sgt Stanley Elliott. Sgt Stanley Hird, the fourth crew member, survived the impact. went on to serve until the end of the war and was subsequently awarded the DFC.

Sergeant Jack Ottaway, Pilot.

Memorial plaque for the airmen at the site of the crash

Mr Russell laid a wreath on behalf of Patricia Le-May, sister of Sgt Elliot, and he coordinated the event for Jack Broughton, of the Royal Air Forces Association.

Because of the coronavirus restrictions just two people were permitted to attend a memorial service at the crash site on 20 November 2020 - David Russell, from Roughton, and Rachel Elkin from Happsiburgh, who is the granddaughter of the pilot, Sgt Ottaway.

Each one, man for man, has won
imperishable praise, each has gained a
glorious grave, not that sepulchre
of earth wherein they lie, but the living
tomb of everlasting remembrance
wherein their glory is enshrined.
Take these men as your example.
Like them remember that prosperity
can only be for the free, that freedom
is the sure possession of those alone
who have the courage to defend it.

Pericles - Military Commander and
Statesman, 490 - 429 BC.