In July 1944, a Lancaster Bomber had been heading to France to support the D-Day landings when it got into trouble and had to turn back, fully laden with bombs. It couldn't ditch the bombs in the North Sea as there were too many Allied ships below and was told to head for its base in Lincolnshire, in a wide sweep via Blackpool.
As the Lancaster was losing altitude over Salford, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Peter Lines, spotted Littleton Road playing fields where he could make an emergency landing. It came in low over Agecroft Road and clipped some houses on Langley Road on the wrong side of the River Irwell. The aircraft crash-landed on the riverbank, and before the crew could evacuate, there was an explosion which killed the seven crew members and two civilians.
On Sunday 28th July, at 11am, there is a short memorial service for those who were killed that night, organised by The Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust, The half hour remembrance will include a welcome from the Trust Chairman Peter Flannery, a short talk from Joe Bamford, who is the grandson of one of the civilian casualties of the crash, a few words from the Mayor of Salford City Council, Alan Clague, and a brief service by the Reverend Daniel Ashworth.
Everyone is invited to attend.
Memorial Service
Sunday 28th July 11 am
Agecroft Cemetery
Langley Road M27 8SS
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