Anzac crash death pair remembered

EAST Lothian’s connection to a global day of remembrance recognising the sacrifice of armed forces on the opposite side of the world has been highlighted.

In May 1945, two Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots were on a training mission in a Beaufighter when they crash-landed, resulting in their deaths, in the Lammermuir Hills.

Pilot Harry Kenneth Lillington Rice, 21, is buried in Haddington, while 23-year-old navigator Aubrey John Clarke is buried in London.

Aikengall II Community Wind Farm now stands where the crew crash-landed, with a stone memorial commemorating the two servicemen.

Anzac Day is a day of remembrance across the world, commemorating the Australian and New Zealand forces during the world wars.

In the First World War, Anzac forces landed in Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, and, despite heavy losses, the actions of the Anzacs became a source of immense pride for those in their homeland.

Their legacy lives on with commemorations, marches, and dawn services taking place every year on April 25.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial stone at the wind farm, where last year, a descendent of Kenneth Rice visited with his wife, accompanied by Anouska Woods, Community Windpower Ltd’s Begreen community coordinator.

He was presented with a New Zealand flag originally used on the unveiling of the memorial stone back in 2019.

He said: “I have been researching our family history for some time and its now great to be able to see my hard work pay off and visit the areas I have been writing about.

“These moments will be forever in our hearts.”

The memorial stone will remain in place as a mark of respect for the two servicemen.