After nearly a decade of dedicated work, volunteers and supporters in Lincolnshire are celebrating the completion of a magnificent life-size Lancaster Bomber sculpture that stands as a towering tribute to World War II Bomber Command crews. The 95-foot-high monument has been erected in Norton Disney as part of an ambitious project to honor the memory of the more than 55,000 aircrew members who never returned from their missions during the war.
The Bomber County Gateway Trust conceived the idea for this remarkable memorial in 2017 and officially launched the project in 2018. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in May of that year, attended by Johnny Johnson, the last surviving member of the legendary 617 Squadron, along with ten other veterans who witnessed the beginning of what would become one of the most significant war memorials in the region.
Charlie White, chairman of the trust and a local farmer, expressed the deep motivation behind the project. "We haven't done this for our own glory or anything like that, it's because we wanted to put something there for the county of Lincolnshire and a thanks to the RAF and the over 55,000 that never came back after serving in Bomber Command in World War Two," White explained. The 55-year-old described the completion as "incredible" to witness, though he acknowledged that some finishing work remains to be done.
The project faced numerous challenges over its eight-year development period, with White recalling both "highs and lows" experienced by the group of trustees. "We kickstarted on the 100th anniversary of the formation of the RAF and money came in very quickly, and we got on and designed it, dug the hole, put all the reinforcements in and poured over 1,000 tonnes of concrete in all within six months of launching it," he said. However, progress slowed significantly after the initial burst of activity, with the podium frame not being built until a year later, followed by another year to design the aircraft itself.
The project encountered significant obstacles when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, followed by the cost-of-living crisis and dramatic increases in steel prices. White explained that fundraising became particularly challenging during this period, as "trying to get the support of companies and the public" proved difficult when many thought the project had been shelved. "Money was still coming in, but they thought we went on the backburner, but we were busy working behind the scenes," he noted.
The financial scope of the project has been substantial, with costs approaching $1.2 million. Approximately $420,000 has been raised through fundraising efforts and personal donations, while the remainder has come from support provided by businesses and large organizations. White emphasized that fundraising continues, as additional funds are needed to "finish paying for the steel, for Timmons Engineering time and efforts, for insurance, we need to landscape it, we need to fence it, we need security and then there are the ongoing painting costs of the steel frame."
Carl Hilton, managing director at BSP Consulting, which supported the project alongside Jessops Construction, praised the significance of the achievement. "It's been a long time in the making. We build schools and industrial buildings and hospitals all the time, but this is an iconic Lincolnshire sculpture, so it's nice to see it. It's a gateway to the county really," Hilton observed.
The sculpture incorporates sophisticated design elements that make it both visually striking and historically meaningful. Engineers carefully planned the structure so that wind travels through it, creating "the motion of movement as you look at it from different angles," according to White. The memorial is based on a specific Lancaster bomber that crashed during the early hours of September 19, 1942, while returning to RAF Swinderby. The sculpture depicts this aircraft with two propellers spinning and two that have stalled, directly reflecting the story of the historical aircraft it commemorates.
Local residents have responded enthusiastically to the completed memorial. Simon Longson, 61, of Swinderby, described the sculpture as "absolutely fantastic," adding that "it makes you proud, it really does, and what a great location on this side of the hill and what a view." He particularly appreciated the thoughtful design of the propellers that reflects the historical aircraft's final moments. Richard Brooks, a 79-year-old former teacher also from Swinderby, expressed similar admiration, recalling his attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony where he saw Johnny Johnson and other members of the 617 Squadron.
The memorial has attracted significant community support, including from individuals who have gone to extraordinary lengths to contribute to the cause. Laurence Goff, former Mayor of Newark, completed a tandem skydive earlier this year specifically to raise funds for the project, generating more than $24,000 in donations. "It's great to see it up for the glory of the people who lost their lives. We have been waiting and waiting because of Covid," Goff said upon seeing the completed sculpture.
The strategic location of the memorial ensures maximum visibility and impact. Positioned alongside the A46 highway, the sculpture will be seen by tens of thousands of motorists every day as they travel through the area. This prominent placement reinforces its role as a "gateway to the county," serving both as a landmark and a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by Bomber Command crews during World War II. Councillor Clive Moles of Norton Disney praised the achievement, stating, "This is a wonderful, wonderful thing and it wouldn't have happened without the kind owners, Mr White and his family. We are extremely grateful as a parish council and local villagers."
