Village of Upwood stands still to remember two First World War airmen
The unveiling of a new memorial to two airmen who died at Upwood during the First World War. Picture: PAUL CHAIRMAN. - Credit: Archant
Upwood residents stood in silent reflection last Sunday (September 7) to remember two young men killed when their plane crashed in the village during the First World War.
A new memorial has been put up on Longholme Road, opposite the airfield, to honour the memory of 2nd Lieutenants Adam Thompson, 26, and Albert Parks, 21, who died on September 7, 1918.
The stonework and plaque were organised by Tony Place, of Helens Close, Upwood, who was in the RAF for 30 years.
“They gave their lives in the First World War and it must not be forgotten,” he said.
The two men were members of the 191st (Night) Training Squadron. On the fateful night, they were in an FE2b bi-plane, which had a propellor behind the pilot and a gunner in the front.
“It took off, we assume at dusk, stalled, went into a spin and they never recovered,” said Mr Place. “It just went straight down and crashed on the airfield.”
Tragically, Mr Thompson’s wife, who lived in the High Street, and was pregnant, saw it take off and crash, while Mr Parks had been married only two months.
Most Read
- 1 Nursery rated inadequate after inspectors said safety was 'compromised'
- 2 St Neots Street Food Fest promises to be "bigger and better"
- 3 Cambridgeshire zoo 'devastated' following death of white Bengal tiger
- 4 Philip Pope named mayor of St Ives for a second time
- 5 Find out what's happening in Huntingdonshire for the Queen's Jubilee?
- 6 Shoplifter barred from every M&S and Sainsbury's in Cambridgeshire
- 7 Woman who could barely walk is taking part in cycling event after shedding 19 stones
- 8 Plans to demolish barn and create organic food business
- 9 A14 westbound reopens after crash caused 7 miles of delays
- 10 New organic coffee shop opens in St Neots
Family of both airmen, including Ellison Withe, the grandson of Mr Thompson, and several relatives of Mr Parks, were present for Sunday’s ceremony, taken by chaplain Tony Perryman and attended by more than 80 people.
Mr Place thanked all those who helped including Swearers Funeral Directors, Terry Tye, Andy Duncan and Mark Atfield, The Cross Keys pub and parish councillors Keith Sisman and Garth Slater.
