V E Day Memorial 2011
Chas Jellis details his plans for a special memorial on V E Day in 2011:
On the 19th Feb 1945 a 36BS B24H Liberator R4H serial No 42-50385 Took off from USAAF Base Cheddington ST113 at 09.16 but just half a mile west of runway 26 due to weather conditions and instrument failure the Liberator came down just missing a row of cottages in the village of Long Marston, The B24 had ploughed through two hedges crossed Astrope Lane then took out two trees before coming to rest in the centre of a field being used for cattle grazing, On board was ten crew members and extra Navigator as it was his check ride! After the crash Navigator 1st Lt John D Howarth managed to get out and run but returned to get his mates out, He knew it was very risky but had to do it, 7 minutes later the B24 set on fire with 3 Of the crew still trapped they perished in their Plane! He carried this with him until now.
After organising the Memorial at Ford End Farm, Ivinghoe in November last year i thought that would be enough but!! John contacted me to say thank you for what I had done in remembering the men of the 36th BS and asked if at all possible that a Memorial could be made to honour his lost crew, So how could I refuse! He wants to come to the ceremony which I have set a date for the 7th May 2011.(V E Day weekend). So far we have four confirmed veterans from the 36BS RCM booked to come for the Memorial Ceremony. Pilot 1st Lt Louis J McCarthy also wants to come but due to health is yet to confirm.
The 3 crew that died were all Aerial Gunners,
S/Sgt Carl E Lindquist (21)
Pvt Fred K Becker (20)
Pvt Howard F Haley (20)
Also, four cows were shot by the exploding 50 calibre machine gun bullets - there were over 20,000 on board!
SATURDAY 7th May
The Memorial Ceremony will commence at 12noon with full Honour guard and Colour party so I would like spectators to be in place by 11.30 if possible.
After the ceremony, we go to Long Marston Village Hall for after ceremony teas and viewing of the WW2 displays. In the evening a 1940`s dance starts at 7:30. Tickets will be available at £10 each with all proceeds going to the Memorial Funds - bring your own drinks. Please contact me for tickets.
SUNDAY 8th May
There is a coach trip with the Veterans to Madingley American War Cemetery near Cambridge then on to Duxford Imperial War Museum. We leave Long marston Village Hall at 9am. Tickets will be available at £10 each on first come first serve basis. NB* - Entry to Duxford NOT included.
MONDAY 9th May
At the Old Airbase gate at 9.30am, I will host a tour around part of the Old Airfield at Cheddington with the veterans so they can see their old base. Then onto the 36BS memorial at Ford End Farm, Ivinghoe to pay our respects. Then we go to the crash site of the B24 BEAST OF BOURBON. All are welcome to come.
Maps and hotels: http://www.maplandia.com/united-kingdom/england/south-east/hertfordshire/long-marston/
My good friend Stephen Hutton from North Carolina is hot on the trail to track down families of the lost crew. So far he has found families for two of the Airmen and they plan to come to the ceremony. Plus four other 36BS Veterans want to come so we are very pleased with the results so far.
I have also been in touch Mike Tomlinson, the chairman of the Parish Council, who has given me a spot to erect our new memorial in Long Marston next to the existing WW1-2 memorial which is a super location.
All of the costs of the memorial and the three days' events will be covered by me, so fund raising is a must as I want to give the veterans the best time possible while we still have them with us.
So if you can help in any way,shape or form I would really appreciate it.Chas can be contacted at chas_jellis@yahoo.com
Published: 09 November 2010 (updated 16/03/2011)