Kentish Express Ashford & District
Flypast is a tribute to pilots’ sacrifice
The sacrifice of Canadian and American pilots stationed at a rural airfield during the Second World War was honoured with a flypast and memorial service.
The service at the memorial in Bedlam Lane near Egerton was led by Canon Sheila Cox, and has been an annual event organised by Alan Palmer and his wife Sheila for the past 38 years.
It is a tribute to pilots from the 403 and 421 Squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force who flew Spitfires, and American fighter pilots from the 362 Fighter Group who flew Thunderbolts at what was then known as Headcorn airfield. Two Canadians and 22 Americans who flew from the base were killed in action.
Mr Palmer was an 11-year-old boy when his family was asked to give up hundreds of acres of land to make way for the base in 1942.
The couple are now in their late 80s and are stepping down, meaning it could be the final flypast service to take place.
Mrs Palmer said: “It was made an advanced landing ground ahead of the D-Day landings in 1944. It is important because of the freedoms we can now enjoy today. Now it is a lovely part of the countryside, but we wouldn’t have it if we hadn’t had youngsters and volunteers from other countries willing to give their lives.
“The airfield is important to my husband because he would take up buckets of milk straight from the cow sheds and take bread and butter to give to the pilots, and would spend the evening there.”
The service included a flypast by a Spitfire and a Hurricane and was attended by dozens of people.
Mrs Palmer added: “This was the last year we will be organising a flypast and memorial service, so it is sad that it might be the last service, but according to Canon Sheila Cox there are others who are interested in taking it on.”