New Zealand aircrew names on new airfield memorial

[bramware]

On June the 23rd 2012, a Roll Of Honour is to be added to the existing airfield memorial site at the former RAF Hunsdon, Hertfordshire in the UK.

Nine names of RNZAF aircrew who were lost while flying from the airfield during 1941-45 will be commemorated alongside one hundred and sixteen other aircrew from the RAAF, RAF and Canada at the former wartime nightfighter station.

The research into the 125 airmens names has been carried out by Jim Cosgrove of the Hertfordshire Airfields Memorial Group. It was they who raised funds and built the airfield memorial in 2005. It was always hoped that the names of those airmen who never returned would one day be recorded on the memorial itself.

For two years Jim has recorded those names for inclusion, and now the new additional part of the airfield memorial will soon be installed. It consists of a four ton cast concrete wall that will hold the 1.5 metre Black Indian granite plaque that has the names engraved on it in gold lettering. A year has been spent raising the £6000 needed to build and fund the monument, this is in addition to the original £7000 we raised to build the airfield memorial itself in 2005.

The 23rd of June will feature a dedication service attended by some of the airmens relatives with wreaths laid by representatives of the four air forces, Those of the RNZAF,RAAF and Canada by the London based embassy Defence Attaché staff.
Those Officers being Wing Commander Nick Olney RNZAF, Group Captain Peter Wood RAAF and Col Paul Keddy RCAF. The RAF will be represented by Air Commodore Gary Waterfall.

New Zealander Maxwell Sparks aged 91, who is the last aircrew member of the Amiens prison raid, which came to be known as 'Operation Jericho' was contacted and has been formally invited. He hopes to be there if his health holds up and also made a generous contribution to the fundraising for the Roll Of Honour.

Jim Cosgrove and the group itself would like to hear from any relatives of the following RNZAF airmen:
P/O J McVay
F/S H Baird
P/O K Russel
F/S J Hyndman
F/L R W Sampson
P/O R Payne
F/O J McMillan
P/O M Barriball
F/O R Brown

Best Regards,
Denis Sharp
Hertfordshire Airfields Memorial Group.
hamg.co.uk

[sparrow]

I will be over a month before this,and had hoped to go out and visit the airfield,and also the village,as I assume my Grandfather and his mates probably drank there,as they served on RAF Hunsdon.
I will look at the holiday calendar at work tomorrow and may book the weekend.
It's amazing work you guys have done.

[pjw4118]

I wasnt too sure about which squadrons were based there, Action stations lists
487 31/12/43 to late April 1944
488 Oct to Nov 1944

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for posting Denis. As you know, but others may not, Dick Sampson, who's name is on the memorial, was from here in Cambridge and was killed on the Amiens raid.

[bramware]

Thank you all,

Sparrow='It's amazing work you guys have done'

It has been hard work this year. What with the recession it has been very hard to raise funds in the the normal way. We do hope that we will provide a dignified and fitting service to dedicate the Roll Of Honour these 125 airmen deserve.
If you can make it over, let us know!
Denis
*Cheers for letting me post this over here Dave, As for Dick Sampson, His name is always first on the wreath that we lay every year on the anniversary of the Amiens raid.

[Dave Homewood]

It is great to know he is remembered there, thanks to all who still care there in the UK, on behalf of the people of Cambridge.

[oggie2620]

Damn I would have liked to have gone to that! Just cant do it with so much other stuff going on in May and June. Will have to visit at at later date. Well done Denis for keeping these lads names alive for our future...