On 16 December 1943, a Royal Air Force Lancaster bomber, tail number JA853 MG-L from 7 Squadron, was shot down over the Netherlands during a mission over Germany. The aircraft crashed in Friesland, claiming the lives of seven brave young airmen — five Australians and two Britons. In 2024, more than 80 years later, the sacrifice of this crew was honoured in a solemn ceremony attended by relatives from both Australia and the United Kingdom, alongside Dutch officials, locals, and the Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands.
A crew united in service and sacrifice
The Lancaster’s crew were:
- Wallace Arthur Watson – Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
- William Maitland Waterman – RAAF
- Raymond Edgar Hedges – Royal Air Force (RAF)
- Charles Lloyd Robinson – RAAF
- John Butterworth – RAAF
- James Hurst – RAF
- Reginald Douglas McWha – RAAF
Five of these men are buried in the Netherlands. Two were never recovered. Though they died far from their homelands, they remain close in the hearts of those who continue to honour their memory.
A lasting legacy in the Netherlands
The new monument unveiled in Friesland is a physical reminder of a deeply felt human connection. Local communities in the Netherlands have long taken it upon themselves to care for the graves and memories of Allied airmen who perished in their skies. Ceremonies like this one reaffirm the enduring gratitude felt by the Dutch people — not only for the liberation from Nazi occupation, but for the courage and ideals these young men represented.
Australia and the Netherlands: Shared sacrifice, shared values
This ceremony is more than an act of remembrance — it is a powerful symbol of the enduring relationship between Australia and the Netherlands. These bonds, forged during the Second World War, have only deepened in the decades since. From fighting together in Afghanistan to standing united after the MH17 tragedy, our two nations continue to uphold the values of freedom, justice, and mutual support.
The participation of descendants, officials, and the broader public in such events underscores the importance of remembrance — not just as a reflection on the past, but as a call to preserve the freedoms for which others gave their lives.
Honouring the past, preserving the future
The sacrifice of the Lancaster JA853 crew is part of a much larger story — a story of international cooperation, resistance against tyranny, and the enduring power of human solidarity. For the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, and for those who research and preserve these legacies, such commemorations offer a vital opportunity to educate future generations.
These airmen carried with them not only the weapons of war, but the dreams of peace. Their mission ended in tragedy, but their legacy continues — in the freedoms we enjoy, the friendships between nations, and the monuments that now stand in their name.
Lest we forget.
