Airfield/village Memorials

[1marshn30]

The Fire Service College RAF Moreton in the Marsh by marshn2010, on Flickr

IMG_20200818_134729 by marshn2010, on Flickr

[1marshn30]

IMG_20201018_091931 by marshn2010, on Flickr

B-17 Prop blade 92nd BG memorial Podington Church by marshn2010, on Flickr

[Sid-104]

A couple of memorials in my local area in West Norfolk. One stands on the site of the former wartime airfield, RAF Downham Market (also known as Bexwell aerodrome by locals). Two VCs were awarded to pilots based there,the small plaque near Bexwell church remembers their sacrifice.
Three miles away in the village I grew up in, a memorial honours flyers who crashed in Hilgay parish during WW2. My father,13 at the time, remembered hearing the B-17 break up above the clouds after getting caught in wake turbulence and seeing four crewmen parachuting to safety.
Tragically, the end of the war didn't mean the end to airmen lost at Hilgay. On the 9th August 1974, like my Father, as a 13 year old boy I witnessed an RAF Phantom colliding with a Pawnee crop sprayer a mile from the village at 300ft, close enough to feel the heat from the explosion. Sadly,Coningsby's station commander who piloted the Phantom,his navigator and the 24 year old New Zealander Pawnee pilot, who was returning to Bexwell aerodrome, all perished.

Sid.

IMG_20200710_121005a by Andrew Cutworth, on Flickr

IMG_20200710_121153a by Andrew Cutworth, on Flickr


IMG_0016a by Andrew Cutworth, on Flickr


IMG_0012a by Andrew Cutworth, on Flickr

[1marshn30]

Hi Andrew
Thanks for posting those sorry I haven’t replied sooner also glad to stuff from different parts of the country
Nigel

[Sid-104]

No worries Nigel. Glad they are of interest.

[Condor68]

Saw a good on the site of RAF Lisset near Driffield. Cant get a picture posted will keep trying.Its now a wind farm but they give all credit to the Halifax crews that served and were lost.Its different from most but quite impressive..Good pictures on line

Keith

[1marshn30]

Hi Keith
I have seen the pictures which are very impressive and think they are part of a sculpture park
Thanks for looking
Nigel

[Condor68]

Hi Nigel
They are on the westrn edge of what was RAF Lisset on Gransmoor road Lisset..Still cant get pics to post but have another few suggestions.There is a nice one for Polish airmen killed in a crash on the canal path of the leeds liverpool canal near Bradley(between Skipton and Keighley. Another for airman who crashed on a training flight is beside the war memoril in Braemar. it consists of recovered parts.The last on I can recollect at the moment is to those killed in a raid on RAF Driffield and is in a park in the town along with small memorials to other services. Hopefully by the time I remember any more I will get this working.

Keith

[Condor68]

Dont know how I forgot this one its only 5 miles from here. In a field at Gask farm just outside the village of Letham in Angus is a memorial to a young Swordfish crew who crashed on a training mission during the war.They were flying from nearby HMS Condor(RNAS Arbroath)Dont know how I forgot it as I was one of the British Legion members at the dedication a couple years ago.Proper turnout Flags and everything in a rutted field in winter.We were given a brief account of what happened by the farmer who it turned out saw it happen when he was a child.

[Condor68]

There is a memorial that even the marines didnt know about. It is in a wood on Barry Buddon range and is for the marines lost in the Falklands.It is a circle of trees about 20ft radius with a plaque with each tree having a plaque at the base bearing the name of a lost marine.In the centre is a pedestal with an explanatory plaque.Outside the fence is a large black slab bearing the names of 45 commando in all conflicts.Surprisingly it was found that the marines had their own at Condor and with admin changeovers etc it appeared this had slipped through the net and was being looked after by range staff.RM put the stone there and it now gets the respect it deserves .Thought it might be included as they use aircraft for their para drops and things we dont get told about.

[1marshn30]

Thanks Condor68 they all count in my book
Keep up the good work
Best wishes Nigel

[100arw]

Hi Keith
I have seen the pictures which are very impressive and think they are part of a sculpture park
Thanks for looking
Nigel

Nigel,
They are part of the 158 Squadron memorial.
P

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractio ... gland.html

[1marshn30]

Thanks for the link 100arw
Ni

[Condor68]

In the car park at Easthaven just outside Carnoustie there is now a memorial to the Airedale terrriers who were used during the Wars.It is a very large and impressive piece of stone but the design is beyond me.The soldiers depicted and their weapons look like they came from Trumpton and the dogs look more like rats.However the thought is there and I suppose beauty is in the eye of the people who commissioned it.

Must be getting old

Keith

[bizfreeq]

For those wishing to see the Airedale terrriers memorial

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/263888

[1marshn30]

Thanks for the info on the Airedale and Irish terrier memorial as I had I had a Airedale cross a much missed companion a true character who could sniff out a Spag bol from a 100 yards
Best wishes to you in these strange times
Nigel

[Thunderbird]

Boxted Airfield (Station 150),near Langham,Colchester[/b]
This wartime airfield was opened in Spring 1943,home,successively, to 386BG,354FG and 56FG,the latter stating until September 1945 ,when the airfield was handed back to the RAF who finally vacated in 1947. Today the airfield is mainly farmland and an industrial estate,but there is an airfield museum www.boxted-museum.com. This contains a memorial to the USAAF airmen who lost their lives whilst operating from the airfield.In Park Lane on the site of the end of the main runway there is a memorial to these groups and the RAF.

[Condor68]

Just noticed a memorial at the Keptie pond end of Macdonald park Arbroath.It is for Paddy the Regimental mascot of the 2/1 Highland Cyclist Battalion.Died in Jan1918 when they were encamped there .Not sure what I am doing wrong still cant get pics posted .Will have to get grandkids on it.

[Condor68]

Just noticed a memorial at the Keptie pond end of Macdonald park Arbroath.It is for Paddy the Regimental mascot of the 2/1 Highland Cyclist Battalion.Died in Jan1918 when they were encamped there .Not sure what I am doing wrong still cant get pics posted .Will have to get grandkids on it.

[1marshn30]

Been a while since I have posted anything but here is one from Dunchurch near Rugby Warks
Dunchurch nr Rugby Warks by marshn2010, on Flickr

Ni