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There are ten memorials dotted around the Uk and one in Mailly Raineval (nr Amiens - France) remebering individual crew members, entire crews, and 578 squadron as a whole. All are set in evocative settings. Should you be passing any of these areas I urge a short detour to the spot where so much was given for the peace that we enjoy today.
(Clicking on the images will retrieve a larger format higher detailed image).
Map references are British National Grid
Sheet references are Ordnance Survey Landranger Series 1:50 000
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BURN VILLAGE NORTH YORKSHIRE
A Squadron Memorial standing on the wayside of Main Road , comprising a random edged, dressed face grey granite freestanding stone commemorating
All who served in 578 Squadron 1944 -1945
Dedicated : 10 November 1991 : Designer : Eric Bowden : Sheet 105 SE 594 285
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BURN VILLAGE NORTH YORKSHIRE
A Squadron Memorial in the Methodist Chapel, comprising a wall mounted glazed stainless steel framed array of eleven engraved stainless steel panels giving 578 Squadron history and naming each of
219 airmen who flew out from Burn, never to return
Dedicated : 16 May 1999 : Designer and maker : Hugh Cawdron : Sheet 105 SE 594 285
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SELBY ABBEY NORTH YORKSHIRE
The main 578 Squadron Memorial occupies two medieval niches on the North Wall of the North Choir Aisle. It comprises a gathering of the following five pieces :
In the upper trefoile cusps, bas relief sculptures made from resin bronze mounted on oval backings of Torvoux stone depict :
578 Squadron Crest,
Wing Commander DSS Wilkerson.
Below are two oval engraved stainless steel plaques mounted on Lapine stone backings, commemorating the lives of :
Wing Commander D S S Wilkerson DSO, DFC, SILVER STAR (USA)
Flying Officer C J Barton VC
Centrally underneath is placed :
The Squadron Memorial Book
Comprising forty-two acid-free paper leaves bound into embossed goatskin covers and contained in a glazed stainless steel and English oak desk cabinet, commemorating the loss of forty-three Halifax Mk.III bombers and
Two hundred and nineteen 578 Squadron airmen
who flew out of Burn, never to return
In the adjacent main Choir of the Abbey hangs an additional item :
The 578 Squadron Standard
Hand painted on linen canvas, mounted on a steel enameled staff with polished brass spread-eagle finial, listing the achievements, casualties and honours gained and
Dedicated to all airmen and airwomen who served with the Squadron
All these items were installed and dedicated between 1995 and 2007. The Memorial is now complete : Designer and maker : Hugh Cawdron : Sheet 105 SE 616 325
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CARPENTER'S WOOD BURCHETT'S GREEN MAIDENHEAD BERKSHIRE
A Squadron Memorial set in a woodland glade, comprising a solid pinewood pedestal with splayed top bearing an engraved stainless steel plate, erected on the site of the fatal crash of LK-Q on 18 July 1944 commemorating
Six members of aircrew lost without trace
Dedicated : 18 July 1998 : Designer and maker : Hugh Cawdron : Sheet 175 SU 843 825
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RYHOPE SUNDERLAND TYNE AND WEAR
A public Memorial comprising a cast bronze plaque, mounted on the village war memorial commemorating
Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton VC
Dedicated : 10 November 1985 : Designer : Alan Mitcheson : Sheet 88 NZ 410 530
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FARNSFIELD NOTTINGHAM
A public Memorial set in the newly wooded site of the fatal crash of LK-U on 6 July 1944 , comprising a dressed Dolomite stone obelisk, commemorating
Seven members of aircrew
Dedicated : 6 July 1994 : Designers : Farnsfield Memorial Trust headed by Jack Wright
Maker : Michael Disley : Sheet 120 SK 644 556
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TEDSMORE SHROPSHIRE
A private Memorial set in the roadside bank site of the fatal Baltimore crash on Tedsmore Bank on16 September 1944, comprising a Cross made from Australian Jarrah wood bearing an engraved stainless steel plate commemorating the life of
Wing Commander David Scott Shearman Wilkerson DSO DFC
Dedicated : 3 October 1996 : Designer and maker : Hugh Cawdron : Sheet 126 SJ 370 256
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SILVERSTONE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
A private memorial, at the main entrance to the motor race track, utilising a concrete Ordnance Survey obelisk bearing an engraved stainless steel plate recording the site of the fatal crash of LK-S on 31 March 1944 commemorating
Seven members of aircrew
Dedicated : 24 September 1998 : Initiator : Arthur Clegg : Designer : Hugh Cawdron : Sheet 152 SP 671 424
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BALKHOLME EAST YORKSHIRE
A public memorial depicting two interlocked Halifax bombers on a downward plunge, mounted on a tall tubular column, erected on the site where two aircraft, returning from the Bottrop operation of 20/21 July 1944 collided in mid air and fell to earth
Commemorating the loss of all fourteen crew members
Dedicated : 15 October 2005 : Designer and Maker : Hugh Cawdron
Site presentation and Ground works : The Balkholme Community.
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MAILLEY-RAINEVAL PICARDY FRANCE
A private memorial, comprising an engraved stainless steel plate mounted on a low plinth at the base of the village War Memorial, commissioned by relatives of the seven crew members of 578 Squadron Halifax MZ592 which was shot down early in the morning of 13 June 1944 after an operation to bomb Amiens.
Dedicated : 4 September 2004 : Designer : Hugh Cawdron
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COMMONWEALTH AIR FORCES MEMORIAL TO THE MISSING
RUNNYMEDE SURREY
A public memorial dedicated to members of the Commonwealth Air Forces who have no known graves which includes
Thirty-eight members of 578 Squadron Aircrew
Royal Air Force 31
Royal Australian Air Force 4
Royal Canadian Air Force 3
OS map ref: Sheet 176 TQ 000 720
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