Memorial unveiled to American veterans killed in Lincolnshire air crash in 1944

A memorial has been unveiled in Lincolnshire to commemorate American combat veterans killed in a tragic mid-air crash in 1944.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday, 18 December, 80 years to the day that two training aircrafts collided in the clouds above Carlton Scroop near Grantham.

The collision killed seven men, most of whom were under 30 years old, and also fatally wounded a Dalmatian dog, known as Major Jerry, who was a beloved squadron mascot.

The families of the men, along with British and American service personnel, came to remember them at the service at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club.

Ernest Ward Jnr, the son of crash survivor Tech Sgt Ernest P. Ward, travelled from Texas to attend the memorial event. He said: "I have heard about the crash. Just remembering the men and the sacrifice that my dad made is an honour."

The incident involved a US Air Force 61st Troop Carrier Group C-109, which was based at the nearby RAF Barkston Heath, and a B-24 Lazy Lou mid-air.

The C-109 came down close to the village school. Wreckage fell in a field next to what is now the first fairway at the golf club. All five men on board were killed.

A stricken B-24 headed towards RAF Cranwell but crash landed in a field at North Rauceby.

The aircraft then split in two and broke into flames, killing both the captain and the flight engineer and leaving the captain's dog with fatal injuries.

Three other men were seriously injured but were quickly picked up by a RAF ambulance.

Mr Ward Jnr added: "When the plane crashed it split where [my father] was sitting which allowed him to survive the crash. He had concussion and a broken jaw. They had to wire his mouth shut."

Two Dalmatian dogs, including one from Dalmatian Rescue, also attended the event.

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