Gorleston

52.57175, 1.73361
TG 530 036
photos taken 25 October 2013

This is an RAF memorial, to the Number 24 Air Sea Rescue Unit, but it mentions two USAAF personnel who were killed during an ASR operation. It's on the harbour wall, at the mouth of the River Yare.

2nd Lieutenant James S. Mayall Jr, from California, was the Navigator. He was killed when his B17 ditched in the North Sea. He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

Sergeant Donald S. Downie Jr, from Mississippi, was the Ball Turret Gunner. He was killed on the rescue launch when the it was strafed and sunk by enemy aircraft. He is buried in Cambridge.

Find the accident report here

Harling Farm

52.44418, 0.94592
TM 003 869
photos taken 11 October 2013

This is a private residence, so arrangements should be made with Mr Michael Brown to view the memorial. A C-109 (A B24 Liberator being used as a tanker) crashed shortly after takeoff from nearby Snetterton, or Old Buckenham. There's a question about that. The plane narrowly missed the farmhouse, and the crew was killed. A woman living in the farmhouse at the time saw the plane flying directly toward her before the pilot swerved. Years later, a ring was found on the property, inscribed "Yours Ever, Jenny Lee." The ring was handed over to American visitors to be returned to the family. Hopefully, that is what happened.

Bungay Community Centre (2)

52.45170, 1.43884
TM 337 893

photos taken 9 October 2013

The Town Reeve of Bungay very kindly met us at the Community Centre last night to let us in to take these pictures. Thank you to Richard Cundy.

Watton: Tedder Close (2)

52.56686, 0.84522

TF 929 003

photos taken 5 October 2013

Griston: Saint Peter & Saint Paul (2)

SS Peter & Paul Griston

52.55694, 0.86423
TL 942 993
photos taken 5 October 2013

What a special visit this was! I haven't been able to find photographs anywhere of the items inside this church, and it isn't easily accessible. I was finally able to make arrangements to get inside. Although I had been told that the photographs and flag that had been on display were now in storage, and not available for viewing, when we arrived, we were made very welcome, and were shown everything they had!

The Soldiers were very involved with this church, taking charge of arranging the flower each week, and they even had a choir that performed in Norwich Cathedral, among other places. Their organist was a local girl, Dorothy Parrott. Photographs show that services were so full, extra chairs had to be brought in.

This Covenant, headed "The Soldiers United Christian Church" seems to be unique to this church. I've never seen another, anyway. It is signed by over 100 servicemen, and speaks of helping each other in worship, study, witness and fellowship.

The Easter altar frontal, donated by the American servicemen.

The Christmas altar frontal

stitched to to back of the altar frontals

This flag flew over Watton Airfield. It was a gift to the people of Griston from the Americans.