The seven man crew of Lancaster bomber PB 304 were killed when their aircraft crashed landed and exploded in Salford during World War Two.
In honour of these brave men, the Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust would like to invite members of the public to the 72nd anniversary Remembrance Service for the seven man crew and two civilians. The brief service is to be held at 11 am on this Sunday 31 July at Agecroft cememtery, Langley Road, Swinton.
The bomber 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. However, as it flew over Salford it lost height and crashed on the Irwell riverbank, close by 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. It is probably he who advised the pilot about Littleton Road playing fields that the bomber was aiming for. The Mid-upper Gunner was Sergeant John Davenport from Market Drayton in Shropshire. 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.
Principal speaker at the event will be Mr Joe Bamford, author of the book “The Salford Lancaster” and whose grandmother was one of the two civilian casualties. Ceremonial Mayor Cllr Karen Garrido give a short address and the Reverend Daniel Burton of St Thomas’s Church, Pendleton will conduct the service.
