‘Thousands’ expected for memorial flypast
A PENSIONER whose lifelong dedication to 10 American airmen who died when their plane crashed 75 years ago has prompted a planned memorial flypast believes thousands will turn out for the salute.
Tony Foulds was eight years old in February 1944, when he saw the B-17 Flying Fortress, Mi Amigo, crash and explode in Endcliffe Park, Sheffield, as the pilot apparently tried to avoid him and his friends.
Mr Foulds, now 82, has spent decades dedicating himself to the memory of the 10 Americans he never met, spending up to six days-a-week tending the memorial to them in the park.
On Friday February 22, fighter jets and other military aircraft from Britain and the United States will mark the 75th anniversary of the crash with a flypast over the park.
The salute was arranged after BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker met Mr Foulds during a walk in the park, and started a social media campaign. “I can’t put into words how I feel,” the pensioner said.
“I am going to be in tears all day, there’s no doubt about that.”
Mr Foulds said he has been in touch with people from across the country who will be attending, and expects there to be thousands of people in the park. Touching the names engraved on the memorial, he said: “They’ll be smiling on that day.”
Aircraft expected to take part in the flypast include the F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath; a KC-135 Stratotanker and a Typhoon and a Dakota from RAF Coningsby.