Memorial Details
Memorial
Propeller R.A.F. Milfield 1939-45 Borders Gliding Club
Reference
M9.01
Place
MILFIELD
Map ref
NT 945330
Original Location
Borders Gliding Club, Outside the Club house.
Which war
1939-45
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Unveiled Friday 24th May 2002, by Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, Sir John Riddell. Dedicated by Rev. Seaman.
Memorial Description
Propeller mounted on a cube of breezeblock faced with stone, with raked top. In front of this is a plaque of brass surrounded by a copper rim. The lettering is in blue Roman capitals throughout.
Materials used
Breeze block and stone, with brass plaque.
Inscription
This memorial is dedicated to those airmen whose lives were lost / while on operations from R.A.F. Milfield
Names
Who commissioned
Borders Gliding Club
How money was raised
Donations
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Peter Fairness, a member of the Borders Gliding Club.
Ownership and maintenance
Borders Gliding Club
Notes
1. The former airfield has almost disappeared through gravel extraction. The Gliding Club is 15 feet below the level of the former airfield.
2. The memorial has been placed in the garden of the Clubhouse, but is also almost directly underneath the position of the control tower.
3. It was possible to locate various people around the country who had served from the station. Some of them were able to attend the dedication service.
4. In 1944 R.A.F. Milfield obtained the highest marks in the competition for ‘best kept’ Sergeants’,Airmens’ and W.A.A.F.s’ mess out of all R.A.F. stations in the UK, and was presented with a silver challenge trophy.
5. In 2017 two further names were added to the plaque. The plaque was removed and sent away for the work to be done. There was no ceremony when it was replaced.
2. The memorial has been placed in the garden of the Clubhouse, but is also almost directly underneath the position of the control tower.
3. It was possible to locate various people around the country who had served from the station. Some of them were able to attend the dedication service.
4. In 1944 R.A.F. Milfield obtained the highest marks in the competition for ‘best kept’ Sergeants’,Airmens’ and W.A.A.F.s’ mess out of all R.A.F. stations in the UK, and was presented with a silver challenge trophy.
5. In 2017 two further names were added to the plaque. The plaque was removed and sent away for the work to be done. There was no ceremony when it was replaced.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photos: J. Brown
Cambridge Evening News 29/05/2002 reports unveiling with photo of Reuben Flack who was stationed at RAF Milfield in 1943.
Wooler at War 1939-1945. Glendale Local History Society, Wooler, 1996.
Fighting Hitler from a Border Airfield Graham White, Northumbrian, Issue 109, April / May 2009. Published by Powdene Publications, page 31
Action Stations: 7: Military Airfields of Scotland, the North-East and Northern Ireland. David J. Smith; 1983; Patrick Stephens; ISBN 0 85059 563 0
A Hawker Hurricane Mk.I V6989 flying from RAF Milfield crashed at Till bridge, Newton Grance, Chillingham, on 4th February 1943.
Almost Forgotten. The Search for Aviation Accidents in Northumberland. Chris. R. Davies; 2011; Amberley Publishing; ISBN 978 1 4456 0333 0
Northumberland Aviation Diary: Aviation Incidents from 1790-1999 ; Derek Walton; Norav Publications; 1999; ISBN 0 9536189 0 0
Cambridge Evening News 29/05/2002 reports unveiling with photo of Reuben Flack who was stationed at RAF Milfield in 1943.
Wooler at War 1939-1945. Glendale Local History Society, Wooler, 1996.
Fighting Hitler from a Border Airfield Graham White, Northumbrian, Issue 109, April / May 2009. Published by Powdene Publications, page 31
Action Stations: 7: Military Airfields of Scotland, the North-East and Northern Ireland. David J. Smith; 1983; Patrick Stephens; ISBN 0 85059 563 0
A Hawker Hurricane Mk.I V6989 flying from RAF Milfield crashed at Till bridge, Newton Grance, Chillingham, on 4th February 1943.
Almost Forgotten. The Search for Aviation Accidents in Northumberland. Chris. R. Davies; 2011; Amberley Publishing; ISBN 978 1 4456 0333 0
Northumberland Aviation Diary: Aviation Incidents from 1790-1999 ; Derek Walton; Norav Publications; 1999; ISBN 0 9536189 0 0
Research acknowledgements
George and Janet Brown
Research In Progress
If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk
Propeller R.A.F. Milfield 1939-45 Borders Gliding Club (M9.01)
This memorial is dedicated to those airmen whose lives were lost
while on operations from R.A.F. Milfield
----------------------------------------------------
Left hand column
Rank Name Died
F/O J. Methum R.A.F. 04.09.42
Sgt. Hartley R.A.F. 23.09.42
W/01 G.H. Neate R.C.A.F. 06.11.42
F/Lt. P.A. Mortimer R.A.F. 06.11.42
F/Sgt. McDermott R.A.F. 15.11.42
LAC Kyle R.A.F. 15.11.42
F/Sgt. R. Davies Maynard R.C.A.F. 14.01.43
Sgt. J.H. Hobbs R.A.F. 16.01.43
Sgt. M.A. Dixon R.C.A.F. 04.02.43
F/Lt. Von Shalk R.A.F. 20.02.43
Sgt. Gledhill R.A.F. 20.02.43
Sgt. R.H.M. MacFadzean R.A.F. U.S.A. 27.03.43
Sgt. Cullener R.A.F. 27.03.43
F/Sgt. Davies R.A.F. 27.04.43
F/O E.G.L. Thompson R.A.F. 27.04.43
F/Sgt. De Freitas R.A.F. 05.05.43
F/Lt. M.C. Knight R.A.F. 20.05.43
Sgt. G.R. Dawson R.A.F. Brazil 02.06.43
Sgt. A.V. Jones R.A.F. 13.06.43
Sgt. Kemp R.A.F. 14.06.43
W/011 D.M. Flack R.C.A.F. 29.06.43
P/O Ellis R.A.F. 05.07.43
F/Sgt. C.I. Humphrey R.N.Z.A.F. 14.07.43
----------------------------------------------------
Right hand column
Rank Name Died
Sgt. Taverner R.A.F. 26.07.43
F/Sgt. O’Keefe R.A.F. 07.08.43
F/Sgt. Holden R.A.F. 06.10.43
Sgt. L. Jones R.A.F. 29.11.43
F/O. Lookyan R.A.F. 14.01.44
F/Lt. M. Bouquen R.A.F. 09.03.44
Lt.Cdr. D.R.B.Cosh D.S.C. R.C.N.V.R. 24.06.44
F/O A.B.E.Rutherford D.F.C. R.A.F. Aust. 10.11.44
F/Lt. R.W. Hall R.A.F. 13.01.45
P/O N.L. Gordon R.C.A.F. 01.02.45
P/O McGregor R.A.F. 28.02.45
F/O R.N. Bernhart R.C.A.F. 03.03.45
F/O R.F.D. Smith R.C.A.F. U.S.A. 08.03.45
F/O G.A. Sullivan R.C.A.F. 27.03.45
P/O R.S. Bellis R.A.F. 27.03.45
F/Lt. I.W. Smith R.C.A.F. 09.04.45
F/O G.W.R. Ford R.A.F. 13.04.45
F/Lt. F.W. Mossing R.C.A.F. 12.05.45
W/O B.S. Pollard R.A.F. 18.05.45
F/Sgt. F.R. Neyes R.A.F. 20.07.45
Sgt. A. Greenwood R.A.F. 30.10.45
F/Sgt. Marshall R.A.F. 27.11.45
Flt/Lt. V. Parker R.A.F.V.R. Aust.29.01.46
F/Sgt. C.W. Powell R.A.F. 12.05 45
F/O E.A. Clough R.A.F. 13.07.45
NamesM9.01
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Parish Notes
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