Lancaster PB565 1667 HCU (help required)

[Dan_RAFBC]

Would anybody be able to help identify any more information about Lancaster PB565? Especially the aircraft code and squadron code worn when it crashed. Also after previous units/squadrons, I have come across it being operated by 156 Squadron in November 1944.

 

Avro Lancaster Mk.III, PB565, 1667 HCU, RAF Sandtoft, 15th April 1945.

 

Airborne 1455 from Sandtoft on cross-country flight. At 1525 aircraft observed to nose over and dive to the ground. Crash site given as sheet 39 265185. P/O H.P. Speed KIA, F/S R. Ollerton KIA, F/S J.W. Hamilton RAAF KIA, F/O B.A. Savage KIA, F/O E.B. Carss KIA, Sgt S.J. Kingdon KIA, Sgt R.B.R. Cook KIA, Sgt E.H.J. Martin KIA.

 

1667 HCU codes on Lancaster’s: GG, KR and LR 

source: http://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc_sqncodes.htm

 

Unfortunately all the crew were killed when the Lancaster came down near Owston Ferry, a memorial is trying to be organised near the crash site.

[galgos]

My usual "go to" reference source, Malcolm Barrass's "Air of Authority" site has no further information on the Lanc's specific identity so I imagine it's going to be very difficult to find. Good luck with your search, you could try asking on RAF Commands forum, lots of very knowledgeable people there. 

Max 

[Dan_RAFBC]

Thank you Max, I’ll post there too.

[Ossington 2]

All I can tell you is that it was coded GT-R when at 156 Sqn. There might be something in the 1667 HCU file at the National Archives, ref AIR29/614/3. Brace yourself for  disappointment though, these things contain weather reports, sports results, listings for the station cinema etc. rather than codes.  

One day, I'd like the IBCC to have a cross reference of code/serial combinations from donated log books. They are working on tabulating their donations, so it could end up as quite a resource. Give them a try, you might get lucky with an entry from someone who trained at Sandtoft. I imagine most crews went on to One Group. What does the grid ref convert to on a modern map? I have aerial photos around Owston Ferry when researching the bombing decoy. Good Luck.