Hainford 2015

Hainford Village Hall

52.71740, 1.30041
TG 23006 18414

Photos taken 29 June 2015

Yesterday, a new memorial was dedicated in the Hainford Village Hall, Commemorating the crash of the Hookem Cow on 14 April 2015, it incorporates a model hand-made by a Dutch gentlemen who lives in the village. A beautiful remembrance, and a lovely ceremony. Many thanks to Trevor Hewitt.

American Museum in Britain entries

Here is what I've been doing today. I've added this memorial, the memorial in nearby St Barnabas church, and the plane, the "Lady Jane."  I've also added information to the crew. Regrettably, I can't find one of the crew members in the AAM database, so  I'll add Johnie J Jones, Flight Engineer, when I add the others I find are missing.

Lady Jane Memorial

Belton Tavern

The Tavern

52.56495, 1.65775
TG 479 026
Photos taken 19 September 2014

60 Station Road South
Belton
Great Yarmouth
Norfolk
NR31 9AA

Well. I thought I was done. I'd heard that this pub had some photos, but someone contacted me yesterday, and said that there was an actual memorial there. So, of course, I just had to visit.

Foulsham

Near the village War Memorial

52.78418, 1.01197
TG 032 249
Photos taken 17 September 2014

This memorial has one line referring to the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group of the USAAF

Beeston

Village Sign

52.70647, 0.82446
TF 909 158
Photos taken 17 September 2014

Hilgay

Village War Memorial

52.55856, 0.38994
TL 621 983
Photos taken 17 September 2014

Hingham: Lincoln Hall

52.57983, 0.98151
TG 021 021
Photos taken 23 July 2013

There are 3 plaques here, besides the letter about the flag donated to the village from Hingham, Massachusetts. They are not mounted on the walls; apparently, when the hall was repainted, the decision was made that nothing was to be hung on the walls. So these are kept in what is called the "History Room," and you will need to make arrangements to see them. You should be able to do that through the Hingham History Centre.

This plaque is made of a brushed aluminium, and I couldn't get a good photo.

Hingham Church is the only one in the country to fly an American Flag on Remembrance Day. 

Costessey: Longwater Lane Cemetery

52.64957, 1.20380
TG 168 105
photos taken 14 July 2014


This is a very small cemetery, quite easy to find. The memorial refers to a tree--I am under the impression that the stone is not in the original position, and it stands between two quite mature trees. Mystery.

Costessey: St Edmund

St Edmund, Costessey

52.66568, 1.21746
TG 176 124
photos taken 14 July 2014


The church is kept locked, but the key can be obtained from 2 Vicarage Close, or the Vicarage on Folgate Lane

Wymondham: Fairland United Reformed Church

Fairland United Reformed Church

52.56929, 1.11547
TG 112 013
photos taken 16 July 2014

Captain Widen was a USAAF Chaplain, and is well remembered by the congregation of this church. The photo and plaques are in the church, which is kept locked. Contact the secretary for entrance.

Taverham

Taverham Mill Fisheries

52.67833, 1.19155
TG 158 137
Photos taken 14 July 2014

Commemorating the crash of Pappy's Chillun/Turnip Termite. The main body of the plane still lie in the lake here.

Entrance to the Mill, which is a nature reserve and fisheries.

Hingham: St Andrew

St Andrew, Hingham

52.57933, 0.98183
TG 021 021
photos taken 13 June 2014

This was the last memorial Gary and I found together. We'd gone to Hingham for another reason, but while he sat at the pub having lunch, I walked over to the church to take these photos. Gary couldn't walk very far, so I went on my own. But he saw the pictures while we sat at the pub.

Frettenham

Village Hall, Frettenham

52.71224, 1.31395
TG 239 178
photos taken 11 December 2013

Kingsley Crew

Frettenham Village History

This memorial, inside the village hall, commemorates the crash of the Belle of Boston. Trevor Hewitt was instrumental in getting this display installed. The cases are made from English Oak from trees in the village, and a village craftsman built them free of charge.

Trevor's grandfather and father pulled the crew from the Belle of Boston, which crashed on Frettenham Common on 8 May 1944 shortly after takeoff. When the memorial was dedicated  in 2004 the hall was packed to overflowing.

Items retrieved from the crash site.

Hainford

52.71094,1.30482
TG 233 177
photos taken 11 December 2013

Hookem Cow website

458th Bomb Group

Finally! We were able to spend a couple hours with Trevor Hewitt, who was responsible for this memorial, which lies at the place the fuselage of the Hookem Cow came to rest. Trevor is very knowledgeable about the three crashes in the area: The Sally, the Hookem Cow and the Belle of Boston. His father and grandfather pulled the crew from the Belle of Boston, which crashed on Frettenham Common.

This  is on the entrance drive to a farm, so is private property; please be respectful if you visit. The  memorial isn't very big, and looks better in the summer! This was a difficult memorial to find, so I'm very pleased to have been able to visit and learn so much from Trevor.

"Broad and High" Kirby Bedon

Links about the crash, with great information and pictures

When War Smashed Down

Wherryman's Web

467th Archive

Kirby Bedon Crash Site

52.60941, 1.37093
TG 283 066
Photos taken 27 November 2013

This is a small memorial, on the side of a field in Kirby Bedon, close to the site of the crash. You can park on Mill Hill, which is a one-track dirt road, just across from the entrance to the conservation area. You'll need to drag open the gate (be sure to shut it again!), and walk up to the memorial. We followed the track until the bracken got too thick, then walked around the field to the site of the memorial. Be sure to take your wellies!