Remembrance Service.

GravyC dropped ZQ at rugby training, then collected Noo and I to take us to the Remembrance Service at the Airman's Grave on Ashdown Forest. Noo watched from the vantage point of GravyC's shoulders.

This is a lovely memorial to the crew of an RAF Wellington which crashed in The Ashdown Forest on the night of 31st July 1941. It is known as "The Airman's Grave" although there is nobody actually buried there. The Welllington Mark II - serial No W5364 was from 142 Squadron which was taking part on a raid on Cologne. My understanding is that it was on it's outward flight in extremely poor weather and developed engine problems over Europe. It didn't reach Cologne but had to turn back. It crashed on it's flight home during attempts by the pilot to get her and the crew on the ground safely.

The memorial is on the site of the crash site, and was erected at the request of the mother of the Second Pilot - Sergeant P.V.R. Sutton At the request of Sgt Sutton's mother the local Ashdown Forest Rangers lay a wreath on each Remembrance Sunday. This has now evolved into a lovely service attended by many residents from the local villages and people who use the Forest.

The highlight, for Noo, was the dropping of poppy leaves by a bi-plane flying overhead!!!