79th anniversary service for WWII Lancaster bomber victims

The annual memorial for nine people who died in a WWII air crash is set to be held this Sunday.

Taking place at Agecroft Cemetery on Sunday 30 July, The Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust will hold their annual memorial service, this year marking 79 years since seven crewmen and two civilians crashed onto the Irwell riverbank. A memorial stone now lies at the cemetery remembering the disaster.

The Lancaster bomber PB 304 had been supporting the Allied, D-Day invasion of Europe, when it got into difficulties and was ordered back to its base in Lincolnshire.

But because of the number of Allied ships in the Channel it could not ditch its bombs and had to fly in a wide arc via Blackpool. As it flew over Salford it lost height and crashed on the Irwell riverbank, close to Agecroft Cemetery and exploded.

The pilot was Flight Lieutenant Peter Lines from Purley in Surrey and although early into his tour of operations he was considered an exceptionally good pilot.

The Wireless Operator was Sergeant Arthur Young from Cardiff. He was of Afro-Caribbean descent and was one of the few black airman at that time.

The rear Gunner was Sergeant Mohan Singh from the Punjab. He was completing his 22nd operation and in civilian life was a medical student.

The Flight Engineer was Sergeant Raymond Barnes of Pendlebury who probably advised the pilot to land on Littleton Road playing fields that the bomber was aiming for.

The Mid-upper Gunner was Sergeant John Davenport from Market Drayton. He had been an RAF cook and applied for bomber crew duties, qualifying as a gunner.

The Bomb Aimer was Flying Officer John Steele from Bradford and the Navigator was Flying Officer Harry Reid from Toronto, Canada.

On Sunday 30 July at 11am, Agecroft Cemetery – The Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust will hold their annual memorial for the seven man crew and two civilians who died in the 1944 Lancaster Bomber crash.
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— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) July 25, 2023

Councillor Gina Reynolds, Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, said: “These brave men risked their lives in the service of our country every time they flew. It is tragic that they and two civilians lost their lives in this terrible accident. We will never forget.”