Hampden L4124 near Rossington.

On 17th May 1941 this 25 Operational Training Unit aircraft took off from Finningley to undertake a series of night take-offs and landings using the "Sandra" floodlight system at Finningley airfield. The pilot lost control and aircraft dived into the ground from 200ft soon after becoming airborne for one of these circuits. The aircraft crashed near Rossington at 03.50hrs and sadly the three airmen in the aircraft lost their lives.

Hampden L4124 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page Ltd, at Radlett and was awaiting collection in January 1939. After a short period of MU storage it was allotted to 144 Squadron on 3rd March 1939 and was taken on charge by them at Hemswell on 15th March 1939 when the unit converted from Blenheim MkI's to Hampdens. On 11th June 1940 it was taken on charge by 83 Squadron at Scampton. On 5th August 1940 it was slightly damaged in an unspecified incident. A repair on site would have been made. On 12th October 1940 it was again received damage in an unspecified incident. This time it was beyond repair locally so on 31st October 1940 it was taken to the Service Aircraft Section (S.A.S.) at Tollerton to repair Cat.B damage. With this complete it was sent to the S.A.S. part of English Electric on 3rd March 1941 and then issued to 20 M.U. on 23rd April 1941. On 6th May 1941 it was taken on charge by the recently formed 25 O.T.U. at Finningley. As a result of the crash on 17th May 1941 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded after assessment. It was struck off charge on 2nd June 1941 having clocked up 506 flying hours in total.

Pilot - Sgt Richard Samuel Keith Hickmott RAFVR (1162408), aged 29, of Tunbridge Wells. Buried Tunbridge Wells Cemetery, Kent.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt David George Crichton RAFVR (997005), aged 19, of Invergowrie, Scotland. Buried Western Cemetery, Dundee, Scotland.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Ernest David Foster RAFVR (999277), aged 24, of Rotherham, Yorkshire. Buried Whiston Churchyard, Yorkshire.