THE MEMORIAL
AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, Mr COLIN MITCHELL SMITH AND THE THEN LAND OWNER OF FALDINGWORTH AIRFIELD, DISCUSSED THE POSIBILITY OF A PERMANENT MEMORIAL BEING PLACED ON THE AIRFIELD.
IN 2003 A PLAN WAS FINALLY AGREED AND BUILDING COMMENCED THROUGH THE WINTER OF 2003/04
BUILDING MATERIALS NOT SCAVENGED FROM THE AIRFIELD WERE DONATED BY THE LAND OWNER
THE THREE STONE COLUMNS WERE FROM LINCOLN CATHEDRAL QUARRY.
CONSTRUCTION WAS DONE BY COLIN MITCHELL-SMITH AND KEVIN TROOP WITH MUCH APPRECIATED HELP FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
THE MEMORIAL IS CONSTRUCTED AT THE EAST END OF FALDINGWORTH'S MAIN RUNWAY AND WAS DEDICATED IN MAY 2004 IN FRONT OF A LARGE GROUP OF VETERANS AND VISITORS.
THE MEMORIAL HAS THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:-
The base is constructed from concrete blocks broken from the old runway, perimeter track, aircraft standings and buildings; these represent the broken lives and tragedy of war. Out of the base rise three columns of stone. These represent Lincoln cathedral, known by many aviators as a landmark. it also represents hope for future peace rising out of the destruction of war; BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET, which is why two sides of each stone are still rough.
Between the uprights and the base is a stone plaque,
which is inscribed stating to whom the memorial is dedicated.
Inside the base there are placed small parts from some of the aircraft of 300 Sq'n & 1667 H.C.Unit lost from Faldingworth.
In the case of DG358 no parts of this aircraft were available so part of the oak tree with some Welsh soil from the crash site are buried in the memorial.
The parts of 300Sq'n aircraft are buried with some soil from the Masovia area in Poland. The squadron was called the Masovian squadron.The crew names are on the adjacent notice board . For a list of those names CLICK HERE.
The crews will probably have taken off for the last time on the runway where this memorial stands, it being the main East/West runway.
PHOTO COPYRIGHT RICHARD E FLAGG
LANCASTER'S:-
NG266 BH-L lost in Germany 23rd FEBRUARY 1945
PB823 BH-T lost in France 2nd JANUARY 1945
EE124 BH-M lost at Lissington near here 24th JUNE 1944
PB252 BH-M lost over France 26th JULY 1944
DV278 BH-A lost in France 14th AUGUST 1944
PA163 BH-M lost over Denmark 29th AUGUST 1944
DV286 BH-C lost in Holland 13th JUNE 1944
PA185 BH-W lost Apley Lincs 13th FEBRUARY 1945
LL857 BH-B hit station butts 23rd MAY 1944
NG269 BH-K CRASHED Normanby le wold lincs 8th JANUARY 1946
HALIFAX:-
DG358 of the H.C.U. lost in Wales 23rd JANUARY 1944
EB185 lost on Faldingworth approach 16th DECEMBER 1943
In the gravel semi-circle behind the monument a tree's and plaques are placed
There is space for people to plant a tree with a dedication plaque. or just a plaque if they so wish
To the right of the monument a bench was placed to allow visitors to rest, reflect and Remember.
Behind the memorial is the old windsock post.
Some trees are planted nearby reminding us of today’s living world, a world that we must now look after.
In 2007 thanks to a kind donation by the current land owner a post and rail Lincolnshire fence was erected on the eastern side of the monument
