Crew of Lancaster Bomber R5701 Remembered

October 05; a service of remembrance was held at the crash site of Lancaster Bomber R5701, of 97 Squadron Royal Air Force, which crashed in Brunssum on 5th October 1942.

Alderman Carolus de Rijck (representing the Brunssum Mayor) led a service with its congregation drawn from local people and the British delegation of JFC Brunssum represented by Wing Commander James Lafferty RAF and Warrant Officer Simon Marsh RAF. Due tribute was paid to the Lancaster’s crew comprising:-

Flying Officer:    Neville Briant DFC
Flying Officer:    Leslie Dorward DFC RAAF
Flying Officer:    Kenneth Harrison DFM
Sergeant:            John Dawson
Sergeant:            Augustus Desmond
Sergeant:            Kenneth MacKay DFM
Sergeant:            Albert Musgrave

The crew is buried in the Jonkerbos military cemetery in Nijmegen. However, a monument has been erected in Brunssum at Platanendreef, on the corner with Eikenlaan. This monument bears the title ‘Verstoorde Huisraad’ (household furniture in disarray).