Lavenham on VE Day

Loads happening over the VE Day weekend, but I learned that a new plaque was to be unveiled at the Control Tower on the Lavenham airfield, so I went along to that.

The Database goes to Parham!

On Easter Sunday, I drove out to Parham. It was their first open day of the season, and I wanted to be there!  Many thanks to John Curtis and Tim Brett for making me so welcome. That's John in the photo, an enthusiastic volunteer. He, his wife, and his son all give their time to the Parham Airfield Museum. Parham/Framlingham was home to the 390th Bombardment Group.

Parham Airfield Museum 2014

Museum website

Photos taken 21 September 2014

Since we were there in 2012, there have been changes at Parham. A brand new extension, and the chapel is now in the room where the airmen signed their names on the wall. My interest is in the Americans, of course, but there is also a British Resistance Organisation museum here that is worth a visit.

Check out the website for the latest, and here are a few photos of what's new.

Sorry about the glare--I couldn't get into a position where it didn't get in the way. Look closely--you'll see two famous names!

Glare again, and I couldn't get the whole thing. The opposite wall is too close. But this gives us an idea of how many of our precious young people were lost. These are all names of those MIA or KIA while serving at Framlingham/Parham

Rougham: Control Tower Museum

Rougham Control Tower Association

52.24290, 0.77010
TL 892 641
photos taken 21 August 2013

Shipdham: Control Tower

52.62499, 0.94077
TF 991 070
photos taken 8 August 2012

We had to clear the trees away to get to the memorial. It was completely hidden. The tower is at the back of an industrial estate.

Seething: Control Tower Museum

Control Tower Museum

52.50747, 1.41428
TM 317 954
photos taken 19 June 2013

Rackheath Industrial Estate: Control Tower

52.67260, 1.37652
TG 283 136
photos taken 29 January 2013

The tower has recently been renovated, and the outside is accessible. The inside of the tower, however, is STRICTLY PRIVATE! You will not be allowed in.

Parham

Parham Airfield Museum

52.19535, 1.40314
TM 327 606
photos taken 11 July 2012

Ask to see the wall of signatures, and Clark Gable's enlistment papers!

Martlesham Heath: Control Tower Museum

52.06343, 1.26535
TM 239 455
photos taken 5 September 2012

Control Tower Museum

Debach: 493rd Bomb Group Museum

493rd Bomb Group Museum

Technical Site Entrance:
52.13784, 1.26203
TM 233.538

Memorial Coordinates:
52.13966, 1.25853
TM 230 540

photos taken 5 September 2012

Debach: Kenneth Blair Memorial

52.13663, 1.26492
TM 235 537
photos taken 5 September 2012

Cpl. Kenneth was a weather observer, who wanted to be a pilot. On the day he finally received word that he could go for pilot's training, he jumped on his bike to ride down to the control tower and share his news. On the way, he crossed paths with a B-24.

The memorial is on the grounds of the 493rd Bomb Group Museum, at the car park near the control tower.

Thorpe Abbotts: 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum

52.38685, 1.21228
TM 186 813
photos taken 22 August 2012

100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum

Rattlesden: Control Tower

52.16972, 0.87556
TL 967 562
photos taken 10 July 2013

The Control Tower is now the clubhouse of the Rattlesden Gliding Club, and is not on a road. To drive there, you need to drive on the runway. On flying days, this may not be possible, as the runway is in use. Best to make arrangements with the Club.

Rattlesden Gliding Club

Dedicated to those who served in the 447^th Bomb Group during World War II.

Their display of courage, determination and skill under stress of combat were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Force of the United States.

447^th bomb Group

Squadrons 708, 709 710 711; 447^th Bombardment Group (H); third Division, Fourth Combat Wing, Eighth Air Force. Based in Rattlesden, England from November, 1943 to May, 1945.

In Memory of Second Lieutenant Robert Femoyer

711^th Bomb Sqdn, 447^th Bomb Group, U.S. Army Air Corps.

“He remained true to his mission, true to his comrades, and true to his own standard of honor.”

Awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.

Born 31 October 1921 in Huntington, West Virginia.

Joined U.S. Army Air Corps February 1943.

Killed in action 2 November 1944

Severely wounded by antiaircraft fire over Merseburg, Germany, LT Femoyer refused painkillers, keeping his mind clear to guide his plane out of danger and save his comrades. Despite extreme pain and loss of blood, he navigate his lone bomber for 2 ½ hours, clinging to the last slender thread of life until his plane had arrived safely over the English Channel. Lt. Femoyer died of his wounds shortly after landing. The heroism and self-sacrifice of LT Femoyer were in keeping with the highest traditions of the 447^th Bomb Group and the U.S. Army Air Corps

This Control Tower was built by George Wimpey and Co., Ltd in 1942 and used originally by the 447^th Bomber Group of the US 8^th Air Force.

Having survived the ravages of World War 2, it then became the property of the RAF on October 10^th 1945 and finally became inactivated on August 6^th 1946.

In the 1960’s part of the airfield was used for an RAF Bloodhound missile site and upon their final departure in 1967 this tower was surrounded with surplus missile cases and set alight.

It remained derelict until 1976 when it became the clubhouse of the then recently formed Rattlesden Gliding Group.

The members carried out emergency repairs and reconstructional work and Rattlesden Gliding Club was born.

This work made the tower more or less habitable and it remained in a scruffy but usable state until 1988 when the Gliding Club, having purchased the operational site, began to renovate completely.

This formidable task, although tackled by many members with various degrees of enthusiasm and dedication, owes its success to a small team who worked tirelessley in their spare time to give us what we have today.

The club owes a debt of thanks to that team, namely:

Humfrey Chamberlain

Peter Neeves

Roy Firmin

Roger Firmin

Thank you gentlemen.

The members of Rattlesden gliding Club

September 1989