Operation: Night Training Exercise

Date: 31st August/1st September 1943 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

Unit: 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU)

Type: Lancaster l

Serial: R5698

Code: UG:P

Base: RAF Wigsley, Nottinghamshire

Location: Near Southwell, 6 miles west of Newark-upon-Trent, Nottinghamshire

Pilot: Plt Off. Joseph Widger Murphy 'Joe' Macdonald 156663 RAFVR Age 30. Killed

Flt Eng: Sgt. George Robert Joyce 1238563 RAFVR Age 19. Killed

Nav (Inst): Fg Off. Walter Stephen 'Steve' Jobling DFC 120547 RAFVR Age 34. Killed (1)

Nav (UT): Sgt. Thomas George William Shepherd 1546655 RAFVR Age 20. Killed (note)

Bomb Aimer: Sgt. Edward Neilan Jones 1087736 RAFVR Age 20. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. George Herbert Tough 1044676 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Air Gnr (Mid Upp): Sgt. John Henry Hutchinson 853608 RAuxAF Age 38. Killed

Air Gn (Rear): Flt Sgt. Robert William Rashbrook 415917 RAAF Age 20. Killed (2)

Note: The name of the navigator under training was discovered in September 2018 - efforts are already underway to add his name to the memorial.

Above: Group image: left to right: Flt Sgt. Robert Rashbrook, Dorothy Shepherd (Land Girl), Sgt. Thomas Shepherd. Right: Flt Sgt. Robert Rashbrook, and Sgt George Herbert Tough (Courtesy Dorothy Shepherd and Pam Hamilton)

REASON FOR LOSS:

The aircraft took off from RAF Wigsley for a night cross country training exercise.

RAF Wigsley, Nottinghamshire (courtesy Newark Air Museum)

On the same evening Lancaster JB132 took off from RAF Syerston for an operation on Berlin and was returning to base when the two aircraft collided in mid-air at 03.26hrs.

Map showing the area of the collision near Southwell, 6 miles west of Newark-upon-Trent, Nottinghamshire

Both aircraft exploded and all members of both crews were killed. Lancaster R5698 was flying in a Southerly direction while Lancaster JB132 was flying in a Northerly direction. Neither crew saw the others navigation lights and collided head on. A number of other aircraft were flying in the vicinity and would have witnessed the explosions.

Above as described - do you recognise any of the boys? Can you confirm location and details as we are not sure.

Conclusions from the Court of Inquiry (courtesy Australian National Archives) state:

'....The question of congestion over this country is of too complex a nature to be raised on one single case of collision. Nevertheless it is felt that consideration should be given to the following suggestions which may help to reduce the possibility of a mid-air collision:

1. A flashing light is more liable to attract attention than a stationary one. It is recommended that navigation lights should be flashing

2. If the pilot of one aircraft notices that another is approaching or converging dangerously close he should flash either the identification lights or headlights

3. Training Units should be informed of height, route and timing of any major force of operational aircraft so that local modifications of flying programmes can be made to prevent their aircraft from crossing the route or becoming involved in an already dangerous congestion'

(1) Walter Stephen Jobling worked at A.W. Foster and Co, Ltd, Bardney. Prior to enlisting in the RAFVR. He undertook his initial training after which he joined 50 Squadron where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), (London Gazette, 17 August 1943). Having completed his first 'tour of duty' he was posted to No. 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) to help train aircrew.

Lincolnshire Echo September 2, 1943 (courtesy British Newspaper archive)

Transcript from the Lincolnshire Echo, March 18, 1944 (courtesy British Newspaper archive)

Jobling - On the 16 March 1944, at Fulmar Chase, Fulmer, Bucks., to Dinah, wife of Fg.Off. Steve Jobling, DFC killed on active service September, 1943, a son.

Fg Off. Jobling’s DFC was presented by the King to his wife Dinah at Buckingham Palace.

(2) Robert William Rashbrook was a Junior Storeman prior to enlisting in the RAAF in Perth, Western Australia. He Graduated from No.3 Bombing and Gunnery School (BAGS) on the 10th December 1942. Posted to No.14 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 4th May 1943 and then to 1654 Conversion Unit (HCU) on the 29th July 1943. On the 10th June 1943, whilst at 1654 HCU he was promoted to Flt. Sgt.

Above as described - further details here

Above: The memorial inscription on the propeller section of the Bleasby Aircrew Memorial. The name of the Navigator Instructor is underway to be added.

Burial details:

Plt Off. Macdonald (courtesy War Memorials forum) Sgt Joyce (courtesy IS-Find a Grave) Fg Off. Jobbling (courtesy Richard Croft) Sgt. Jones (courtesy Mike McQuaid)

Sgt. Tough (courtesy John O'Grady) Flt Sgt. Rashbrook (courtesy Richard Croft) and Sgt. Hutchinson who is buried in Liverpool Anfield Cemetery (courtesy CWGC)

Plt Off. Joseph Widger Murphy ‘Joe’ Macdonald. Birkdale Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster. Grave Ref: Sec. M. Grave 83. Son of William and Mary Joseph Macdonald. Husband of Phyllis Macdonald of Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales

Sgt. George Robert Joyce. Gravesend Cemetery, Kent. Grave Ref: Plot B. 15. Grave 1754. Son of John and Violet Joyce of Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, England

Fg Off. Walter Stephen 'Steve' Jobling DFC. Thorney (St. Helen) Churchyard, Nottinghamshire. Grave Ref: Grave 541. Grave Inscription: "RADIANT AND LOYAL TO THE LAST". Born in 1909. Son of Thomas Stephen and Louisa May Jobling. Husband of Dinah Annie Jobling of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.

Steve is also remembered on the Lincoln City War Memorial.

Sgt. Thomas George William Shepherd. Stockton-On-Tees Cemetery (Durham Road) Sec. M.1. C. of E. Row E. Grave 9. Son of William and Edith Evelyn Shepherd, of Stockton-on-Tees, England.

Sgt. Thomas George William Shepherd. Stockton-On-Tees Cemetery (Durham Road) Sec. M.1. C. of E. Row E. Grave 9. Son of William and Edith Evelyn Shepherd of Stockton-on-Tees, England.

Sgt. Edward Neilan Jones. Wallasey (Rake Lane) Cemetery, Cheshire. Grave Ref: Sec. 20 C. Grave 634. Grave Inscription: "MUCH LOVED ONLY CHILD OF MABEL AND THE LATE CAPT. EDWARD WILLIAM JONES MERCHANT NAVY". Son of Edward William and Mabel Jones of Wallasey.

Sgt. George Herbert Tough. Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland. Grave Ref: A. 16-404-17420. Born on the 17th August 1920 in Dublin. Son of Mr and Mrs Herbert Tough and stepson of Evelyn Elizabeth Tough of Rathgar, Dublin.

He is also remembered on the St. Laurence's Church WW2 Memorial in Dublin.

Sgt. John Henry Hutchinson. Liverpool (Anfield) Cemetery, Lancashire. Grave Ref: Sec. 22. C. of E. Grave 2588. Grave Inscription: "THY WILL BE DONE". Son of James and Mary Hutchinson of Liverpool. Husband of Edith Hutchinson of Liverpool, England

Flt Sgt. Robert William Rashbrook. Thorney (St. Helen) Churchyard, Nottinghamshire. Grave Ref: Grave 540. Grave Inscription: "HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE. IN GOD'S CARE". Born on the 26th January 1923 in Subiaco, Western Australia. Son of Ethel May Rashbrook of Bassendean, Western Australia.

His death was remembered in the Geraldton Guardian and Express, Saturday 31 August 1946 by his mother, brother David and sister Gladys and family.

Researched by Kate Tame Aircrew Remembered and for all the relatives and friends of the crew. With special thanks to Ken Ogilvie for bringing this loss to our attention, John O'Grady from Dublin, Richard Croft - geograph.org.uk, War Memorials forum, BB2-WW2 People's War - They are Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace by Winchester Museum WW2 Exhibition, Newark Air Museum. All the people of Bleasby village who have made this fantastic memorial take place. Thanks to Christina Shepherd, the niece of Sgt. Shepherd, for the correction to the individual family members named in the photograph (Feb 2021). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered (Jun 2025).

Other sources listed below

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