Second World War airmen who died in crash will be honoured with memorial bench and dedication service in Lutton
A memorial bench will honour six servicemen who were killed in a plane crash during the Second World War.
Just a fortnight before fighting ceased in Europe, a flight of nine US Army Airforce B-17G Flying Fortress bombers was undertaking daytime formation practice over The Wash, when two of the aircraft collided.
One managed to get back to its base, at RAF Sudbury in Suffolk, but another crashed in a field off North Drove, Lutton Marsh.
Six of the eight airmen on board lost their lives.
Their deaths have been honoured by Long Sutton and District Civic Society, along with Lutton Parish Council, with a bench.
A dedication service will be taking place at St Nicholas Church in Lutton on Sunday, April 27, led by the Rev Canon Andrew Hawes, marking the 80th anniversary of the crash.
A spokesperson said: “We hope that when people rest on this bench, they will remember the airmen who died in this crash and of all nationalities who fought and died for our freedom.”
The crash was witnessed by villagers who rushed to help, and 80 years later, stories of the event are still told.
The service starts at 2.30pm and the air cadets will lead a march out to the bench at 3pm.
Standards will be lowered and the last post played by a bugler, followed by the US National Anthem and after the dedication, there will be two presentations.
Suffolk-based historian Anne Grimshaw will give an address describing her research into the crash.
She embarked on this following the discovery on internet sales platform eBay of an old pilot’s flight bag, which belonged to the aircraft’s commander Clyde R Simmons. Anne has been able to trace his relatives in America.
This is followed by Harold Payne, owner of Anglia Motel and Restaurant at Fleet, who witnessed the crash as a five-year-old.
He will give his recollections of the day, together with his untiring work supporting veterans visiting Normandy and other areas of conflict.
Mr Payne will be displaying a WWII vintage US Army vehicle at the event.
Direct memories of the young men who died that day are held dear by the relatives, as well as of the surviving airmen, Navigator 2nd Lt Vincent Colletti and Bombardier 2nd Lt Robert Bradle.
In addition to the bench, fragments of the aircraft recovered from the field can be viewed in a cabinet at the church, which was built by Long Sutton Men’s Shed volunteers.
These items have been donated by Fenland and West Norfolk Air Preservation Society and City of Norwich Aviation Museum from their collection.
The wooden bench will be situated outside the church and is inscribed with the names of the crew members:
1st Lt. Clyde R. Simmons, aircraft commander
1st Lt Donald L. Williamson, pilot
1st Lt James G. Olsen, co-pilot and observer
2nd Lt Vincent Colletti navigator
2nd LT. Robert P. Bradley, bomb aimer
Sgt John J. Hill, engineer and gunner
Sgt Robert L. West, radio operator and gunner
Sgt Edward G. Geron, tail gunner
