A memorial service to remember the crew and civilians who were killed on 30 July 1944 when a Lancaster bomber PB304 crashed on its return flight from France in Regatta Street and into the River Irwell at Broughton was held on Sunday 26 July at Agecroft cemetery.
The crew’s last mission was a daylight bombing run on 30th July 1944 to support Allied troops fighting in Normandy. PB304 took off at 0600 hours to fly to Cahagnes, half way between Caen and St Lo. 106 Squadron provided 21 of the 462 Lancasters, 200 Halifaxes and 30 Mosquitos.
Bad weather over the target meant that 106 Squadron had to circle, whilst German anti-aircraft fire was intense. At about 0830 Hours 106 Squadron was told to return home still carrying bombs, but ordered not to jettison them over the Channel due to the high number of Allied ships there. PB304’s route took it in a wide sweep around Blackpool, and whilst flying over Salford it began to lose height. Peter Lines appeared to be making for Littleton Road Playing fields for an emergency landing, but it clipped houses in Regatta Street and crash landed onto the river bank.
After a short delay there was a terrific explosion which killed all the crew and injured 70 local people. Two of them were to die later from their injuries. 45 year old Air Raid Warden George Morris suffered shrapnel injuries and died on 1st August, and 72 year old Lucy Bamford was injured by flying glass and died on 14th August.
The ceremonial Mayor of Salford Cllr Peter Dobbs gave a brief speech about the vital role played by our service men and women and thanked the Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust for organising the Service.
Reverend Daniel Burton of St Thomas’s Church, Pendleton read the Service with prayers for the lost airmen and two civilians, the Royal Air Force and the City of Salford. The “Last Post” and “Revelle” were played by Adam Galloway and finally chaplets were laid on the memorial stone by
the Mayor Cllr Peter Dobbs and Friends Secretary Peter Kilvert.
