Take-off for Leighton Buzzard fundraising campaign for memorial to RAF Wing aircrew

Around 170 people, including farmers and airfield tenants, who have met online through the Stewkley, Wing and Cublington History Group Facebook site intend to erect and unveil the memorial later this year when pandemic restrictions ease. They have set up a fundraising page for donations to help them achieve their target of £1,000.

One of the project leaders, Nick Ellins, said: “The community effort to build this memorial seeks to provide a point of thanks and remembrance for the thousands of men and women who served and flew from there, and we hope that when local people pass the site in future, or just hear its name mentioned, they have awareness of its rich history.”

The memorial, which will be located by the runways and somewhere where the public can get safe access to it, will be constructed by local builders and include reference to the airfield’s history in relation to the Exodus Operation and the tragic loss of Valentine Henry Baker, who was killed at the airfield in the prototype Martin Baker MB3 Aircraft.

Dozens of original bricks from the old buildings of RAF Wing will go into the non-load bearing part of the memorial and Nick says the most expensive part of the project will be having the engraved plaques made.

Mr Ellins added: “The ultimate job of 26 Operational Training Unit at Wing airfield was to turn bomber crews into teams and give them the skills to go to war.

“The human cost in creating proficient aircrew was high. There are crash sites all over the area. Sadly, when the crews left Wing for the skies over Europe, their chances of survival were even lower.

“Wing airfield has so many facets to its story. From relentlessly training of aircrew, to the loss of legendary test pilot and flying instructor Captain Valentine Baker in his experimental MB3 fighter, the tree top crash of the crippled B-17 Flying Fortress piloted by America’s most experienced bomber pilot Immanuel ‘Manny’ Klette, or the return of nearly 33,000 Allied prisoners of war in so many Lancaster bombers each day that the skies roared to the sound of Rolls Royce Merlin engines.

“The contribution these young men made for our country is remarkable, the skills and dedication of the women who operated across the airfield and regrettably died there is just inspiring.”

>For more information about the fundraising or to donate visit www.facebook.com/
donate/762775477660269/