On Wednesday 28^th September 2022 a funeral service took place for the crew of Stirling III BK716, in the presence of family members.

On 29 March 1943, at half past nine in the evening, the Short Stirling BK716 of No 218 Squadron took off from Downham Market in Norfolk with 328 other Royal Air Force aircraft bound for Berlin. There were seven young men on board: five British and two Canadian. The BK716 managed to reach its target and drop its bombs over Berlin, but disappeared from the radar on the way home. For years, the aircraft and crew were missing.

Please note that the crew was previously commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial.

Sergeant CHARLES ARMSTRONG BELL - 1027864

218 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 29 March 1943 Age 29

Flying Officer JOHN MICHAEL CAMPBELL - 122910

218 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 29 March 1943 Age 30

Flying Officer HARRY GREGORY FARRINGTON - J/11241

218 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 29 March 1943 Age 24

Country of Service: Canadian

Flying Officer JOHN FREDERICK HARRIS - 118128

218 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 29 March 1943 Age 29

Sergeant RONALD KENNEDY - 1487492

218 (Gold Coast) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 29 March 1943 Age 22

Flight Sergeant JOHN FRANCIS JAMES McCAW - R/105188

218 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force

Died 29 March 1943 Age 20

Country of Service: Canadian

Sergeant LEONARD RICHARD JAMES SHRUBSALL - 1251519

218 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 29 March 1943 Age 30

The correct headstone was placed 4th October 2022.