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Foulsham Memorial – 462 Squadron RAAF & other Squadrons & Units based at Foulsham, Norfolk

 

1. Sunday 27 August 1989 at 12:30pm, the dedication and unveiling of Commemorative Plaques on the Foulsham Village Sign was held, as part of a three day Flower Festival at Foulsham. Photos 1 to 10 below cover this event. The scheduled time table of events was published in a local newspaper. Further details have been taken from the 8-page Festival "Order of Service" (Ref: Foulsham Community Archives CD). At 11am there was a "Foulsham in the Forties" Festival Service at the Holy Innocents' Church. During the singing of the processional hymn, Standards were presented at the altar. The Sermon was given by the Bishop of Lynn, The Right Reverend David Bentley. This was followed by the "Act of Remembrance" and "The Lighting of a Candle of Remembrance", in honour of those of R.A.F. Foulsham who gave their lives while on active service. After the service, attendees gathered in the churchyard, then, led by the R.A.F. Band Honington, they processed to the Village Sign for the dedication of the plaques. The sign was on the right hand side on Station Road, at the southern entrance to Foulsham. There were two plaques, one on the southern side of the plinth and the other on the northern side. Visitors included members of RAF detachments and Associations, British Legion, and ex-RAF service personnel and families. At the Foulsham Village Sign at 12:30pm, the official Welcome was given by Mr. J. V. Webdale, Chairman of the Foulsham Airfield Memorial Committee. The official Unveiling was carried out by Mr. L. H. Bartram (Len, now deceased, was also one of the Memorial organisers). After the band finished playing there was a moment of silence, followed by the Dedication of the Plaques, then concluding prayers, and a hymn. The weekend also included displays of RAF memorabilia, a coach tour of the old airfield, a "Forties Dance", and village barbecue. (The original Village Sign, without plaques, had been unveiled in its location at the southern entrance to Foulsham in 1977 in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee.)

2. In 1995, ex-462 Squadron Flight Engineer Sgt A. A. Newstead and his wife travelled to Foulsham, and visited the Village Sign which was then still located on Station Road. On behalf of the Anderson Crew (Skipper F/O H.R.(Andy) Anderson D.F.C.), they placed flowers (a bunch of daffodils) and a card with an inscription in memory of "Those who did not return". Photos 11 to 13 below cover this visit in 1995.

3. April 2012. Foulsham was visited from 9th to 16th April 2012 by E.M.A.Hibberd to trace the footsteps of the Crew of 462 Squadron RAAF Halifax NA240 Z5-V, which took off on its last Op on 10th April 1945 at 1910 hours. On 10 April 2012 at 1910 hours, beside the former main runway and exactly 67 years since NA240 left on that fateful last flight, my thoughts were of those brave men and the many others who gave their lives while in 462 Squadron, and other Squadrons of 100 Group and Bomber Command. Some years previously, the Village Sign had been relocated from the southern outskirts of Foulsham on Station Road, to the central "Market Hill" area, beside the War Memorial. Photos 14 to 23 below were all taken on 11 April 2012. Photos 14 to 19 are of the relocated and refurbished Village Sign and Memorial Plaques. Photos 20 to 23 are of the Holy Innocents' Church, the Roll of Honour for RAF Station Foulsham, and the Wall Plaque inside the Church.
(A page on this website to show what remained of the Foulsham Airfield and buildings in April 2012, and other locations of interest may be created in the future.)

4. 2018 souvenir mug photos 24 and 25 were added for the 06 November 2018 site renewal. The mug had been made for attendees of the 1989 Commemoration of the Foulsham Memorial. It was received in 2018 from former Flight Engineer "Duke" Newstead, ex-462 Squadron, who had attended the 1989 events. In 2018 he decided to pass it on E.M.A.Hibberd. Thank you, Duke.

5. 2019 photos 26 to 29 were added for the 06 June 2019 site renewal. Two Nieces of Matthew OGILVIE (Mid-upper Gunner for the ELY Crew 39), visited Foulsham of the weekend of 23/24 February 2019, the 74th Anniversary of the loss of the Crew on 24 February 1945.

6. August 2022 Unveiling of The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT) Marker 201 near entrance to the former airfield at Foulsham.

Photo scans supplied by named person/s, and used with permission (thank you all):-
Photos 1, 6 (1989) and attached newspaper clipping of "1989 Flower Festival Events" – Andrew Macnair of the Foulsham Community Archives, from CD "RAF Foulsham, photos, articles, memories" (see also website http://foulshamarchives.weebly.com/index.html for more photos & information about Foulsham during WW2).
Photos 2, 3, 8, 9 (1989) – former Pilot Flight Lieut. Bruce K. Drinkwater (deceased May 2010) of 462 Squadron.
Photos 4, 5, 7, 10 (1989) and 11, 12, 13 (1995) – former Flight Engineer Sgt A.A. Newstead, of 462 Squadron.
Photos 14 to 23 inclusive were personally taken by this Website's Author on 11 April 2012.
Photos 24 and 25 were personally taken by this Website's Author on 01 November 2018.
Photos 26 to 29 were taken by the Ogilvie Sisters on 23 February 2019.
Photos 30, 31, and 32 were taken by Ed Andrews, 28 August 2022, and used with his permission, as arranged by Richard Ravencroft.
Copyright for photos is applicable. Please refer to Terms of Use for this website.

 

Display in the Holy Innocents' Church in tribute to Squadrons at RAF Station Foulsham, as part of the Flower Festival in August 1989.
Photo supplied by Foulsham Community Archives,
and used with permission
of Andrew Macnair.

 

 

 

Photo 1 Display in the Holy Innocents' Church in tribute to Squadrons at RAF Station Foulsham, as part of the Flower Festival in August 1989.

Foulsham Airfield was the home in turn of 98, 180, 514, and 192 RAF Squadrons, and 462 Squadron RAAF during WW2, and the display incorporated each of those squadrons.

 

RAF Band Honington assembles in readiness to process through Foulsham to the Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by B.K.Drinkwater in August 2009 and used with his permission.

Photo 2 RAF Band Honington assembles in readiness to process through Foulsham to the Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989. Standards and Bearers are in the background.

 

RAF Band Honington, followed by ex-RAF veterans and Standards Bearers process through Foulsham towards the Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by B.K.Drinkwater in August 2009 and used with his permission.

Photo 3 RAF Band Honington, followed by ex-RAF veterans and Standard Bearers process through Foulsham towards the Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.

 

RAF Band Honington, followed by ex-RAF veterans and Standard Bearers arrive at the Foulsham Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 4 – RAF Band Honington, followed by ex-RAF veterans and Standard Bearers arrive at the Foulsham Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.

 

Ex-RAF veterans and Standard Bearers arrive at the Foulsham Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 5 Ex-RAF veterans and Standard Bearers arrive at the Foulsham Village Sign for the unveiling of Memorial Plaques, 27 August 1989.

 

The ceremony for the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques at the Foulsham Village Sign, 27 August 1989, showing the southern side of the sign and plinth with one of the plaques.
Photo supplied by Foulsham Community Archives,
and used with permission
of Andrew Macnair.

Photo 6 The ceremony for the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques at the Foulsham Village Sign, 27 August 1989, showing the southern side of the sign and plinth with one of the plaques.

Members of the The Official Party are beside the sign, and Air Force veterans and Standard Bearers are in the background.

Two Plaques were fitted, one each on the north and south sides of the plinth.

 

The ceremony for the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques at the Foulsham Village Sign, 27 August 1989, as viewed from the roadway.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 7 The ceremony for the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques at the Foulsham Village Sign, 27 August 1989, as viewed from the roadway.

Members of the The Official Party are beside the sign, and Air Force veterans and Standard Bearers are behind them to the left and right.

The picture at the top of the sign depicts the "Great Fire" of 1770 which destroyed many buildings in the village, and damaged many others, including parts of the Holy Innocent's Church. A 2nd and different picture of the "Great Fire" is on the other side. On both sides of the sign is the name Foulsham, under which is a small crest marked ER II 1977. This relates to the Silver Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth, when this Village Sign was originally installed.

 

Northern side of the Foulsham Village Sign showing the Memorial Plaque listing units based at RAF Foulsham, unveiled 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by B.K.Drinkwater in August 2009 and used with his permission.

Photo 8 Northern side of the Foulsham Village Sign showing the Memorial Plaque listing units based at RAF Foulsham, unveiled 27 August 1989. (Details transcribed later on this web page.)

 

As advised by Newstead, there were six ex-462 Squadron air crew in attendance at Foulsham for the Commemoration, the three in Photo 9, plus Pilot Lyle Robinson possibly taking the photo; Smith, who had done 2 tours, but only a few Ops in 462 Squadron; and Webber.

P/O Lyle David Robinson, 428792 RAAF, Pilot, later F/O (not related to W/Op);
F/Sgt D.R. Smith, 1616243 RAF, Rear Gunner (Scharer's crew, F/L Lloyd George Scharer DFC 402673 RAAF);
Sgt J. A. Webber, 1875012 RAF, Rear Gunner (Langworthy's crew, F/L Geoffrey Maxwell Michell (Max) Langworthy, 428848 RAAF).

 

 

462 Squadron RAAF veterans and wives at the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques on the Foulsham Village Sign, 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by B.K.Drinkwater in August 2009 and used with his permission.

Photo 9 462 Squadron RAAF veterans and wives at the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques on the Foulsham Village Sign, 27 August 1989.

Names as recorded with photo ........
From left:- Arthur Newstead, 462 Squadron; Frank Robinson, 462 Squadron, Mary Robinson; Avis Brocklesby, Len Brocklesby 462 Squadron.

Sgt Arthur A. Newstead, 1593580 RAF, Flight Engineer (Pilot Anderson's crew, names with Photo 12);
F/Sgt Bernard Francis (Frank) Robinson, 424343 RAAF, Wireless Operator, later Warrant Officer (Pilot Lyle Robinson's crew);
Sgt L.G. (Len) Brocklesby, Flight Engineer, 1594323 RAF, Flight Engineer (Pilot Marchant's crew, F/O Noel Edward Marchant, 418859 RAAF).
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A floral tribute was left on the plinth of the Foulsham Village Sign, sometime after the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques on Sunday 27 August 1989.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 10 – A floral tribute was left on the plinth of the Foulsham Village Sign, sometime after the unveiling of the Memorial Plaques on Sunday 27 August 1989. The roses were accompanied by a handwritten note with the words .....

“IN LOVING MEMORY
OF LES.
SHOT DOWN
OVER BREST
24 JUNE 1943"

The ex-462 Squadron veterans who attended the Ceremony did not know who left the floral tribute, nor did they see when it was left. They also did not know who Les was. However, it was, and still is, very moving. Les was obviously very special to someone who was present on the day. Attempts to identify Les by name and Squadron have not been successful. He was not from 462 Squadron.
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Southern side of the Foulsham Village Sign and Memorial Plaques, 1995, with flowers left in memory of lost aircrew by A.A.Newstead on behalf of Anderson's Crew, 462 Squadron.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 11 Southern side of the Foulsham Village Sign and Memorial Plaques, 1995, with flowers left "in memory of lost aircrew" by A.A. Newstead on behalf of Anderson's Crew, 462 Squadron.

The upper section of the sign appears to have been repainted sometime between 1989 and 1995.

 

Close up of the southern side of the Foulsham Village Sign and Memorial Plaques, 1995, with flowers left in memory of lost aircrew by A.A.Newstead, on behalf of Anderson's Crew, 462 Squadron.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 12 Close up of the southern side of the Foulsham Village Sign and Memorial Plaques, 1995, with flowers left in memory of lost aircrew by A.A. Newstead, on behalf of Anderson's Crew, 462 Squadron.

Skipper F/O Henry Robert (Andy) Anderson DFC, 428018 RAAF (died 2008);
Bomb Aimer Sgt K. J. (Ken) Faithfull, 1603341 RAF;
Navigator F/Sgt George Frederick (George) Hicks, 1803292 RAF;
Wireless Operator P/O Bruce Alfred (Dinger) Bell, 417941 RAAF;
Rear Gunner Sgt F. (Fred) Satherley 1211556 RAF (died 1996);
Mid-Upper Gunner Sgt Astley (Aggie) Gordon 1819897 RAF (died 2004);
Flight Engineer Sgt Arthur A (Duke) Newstead 1593580 RAF;
Special Operators – various.

 

Daffodils left in memory of lost air crew by A.A.Newstead, on behalf of Anderson's Crew, 462 Squadron RAAF, at Foulsham Village Sign with Memorial Plaques, 1995.
Photo supplied by A.A.Newstead and used with his permission.

Photo 13 Daffodils left in memory of lost air crew by A.A. Newstead, on behalf of Anderson's Crew, 462 Squadron RAAF, at Foulsham Village Sign with Memorial Plaques, 1995.

The inscription on the card reads .....

"IN MEMORY OF ALL THOSE WHO
FLEW OUT OF FOULSHAM AIRFIELD
AND DID NOT RETURN.
ANDERSON'S CREW
462 (RAAF) SQUADRON".

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Relocated Foulsham Village Sign in the central "Market Hill", as seen in 2012 (viewed from the south).
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 14 Foulsham Village Sign with Memorial Plaques as seen in April 2012. Some years previously, the Village Sign had been relocated from the southern outskirts of Foulsham on Station Road, to the central "Market Hill" area, beside the War Memorial. This triangular area is at the junction of Reepham Road to the east (around the curve to the right of the photo), and Hindolveston Road to the north. It is viewed from High Street (leading to Station Road) to the south.

The brick building, back left, is "The Old Bull Inn'; centre is "Ivy House"; and to the right is "Hill House".

The Tower (with clock) of the Holy Innocents' Church may be seen in the far back left, on Hindolveston Road.

 

Relocated Foulsham Village Sign in the central "Market Hill", as seen in 2012 (viewed from the north).
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 15 Foulsham Village Sign and War Memorial in the central "Market Hill" area, as seen in April 2012, and viewed from Hindolveston Road. High Street curves to the right going south towards Station Road, and Reepham Road curves to the left going east.

In Photos 14 and 15, the blue arrow indicates the Foulsham Village Sign with Memorial Plaques at the edge of the road), and the green arrow indicates the War Memorial (grey column).

 

Redesigned and relocated Foulsham Village Sign with two Memorial Plaques as seen in April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 16 Foulsham Village Sign with two Memorial Plaques as seen in April 2012. The upper section of the sign has been redesigned. The new picture at the top, but on one side only, depicts the "Great Fire" of 1770. Under the name Foulsham, 1770 refers to the year of that "Great Fire". Both of the Memorial Plaques are now positioned on the southern side of the plinth, which has been increased in height.

 

Close-up of plinth of Foulsham Village Sign with two Memorial Plaques as seen in April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 17 Close-up of plinth of Foulsham Village Sign with two Memorial Plaques as seen in April 2012.

In photos 16 and 17, the Tower of the Holy Innocents' Church may be seen in the distance (on Hindolveston Road, and behind the brick building).

 

Upper Memorial Plaque on plinth of Foulsham Village Sign, as seen in April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 18 Upper Memorial Plaque on plinth of Foulsham Village Sign, as seen in April 2012, with wording .........

RAF emblem, PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
REMEMBERING ALL WHO SERVED
AT R.A.F. FOULSHAM
1942-1947.
THE AIRFIELD LAY ONE MILE
NORTH OF THIS SIGN.

 

Lower Memorial Plaque on plinth of Foulsham Village Sign, as seen in April 2012
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 19 Lower Memorial Plaque on plinth of Foulsham Village Sign, as seen in April 2012, with wording .........

RAF emblem, PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
UNITS BASED AT FOULSHAM AIRFIELD
98 SQUADRON R.A.F. 1678 H.C. FLIGHT R.A.F.
180 SQUADRON R.A.F. 192 SQUADRON R.A.F.
12 GLIDER M.U. R.A.F. 514 SQUADRON R.A.F.
BSD UNIT R.A.F. 462 SQUADRON R.A.A.F.
ELINT DET. 7TH P.R. GROUP U.S.A.A.F.

 

Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 20 Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012.

 

Interior of Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 21 Interior of Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham in April 2012, with Roll of Honour on the table at the front right side of the photo.

 

Tribute Sign to Royal Air Force, Foulsham Airfield, on the wall in the Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 22 Tribute Sign on the wall in the Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012, with wording .........

ROYAL AIR FORCE
FOULSHAM AIRFIELD
1942 ~ 1947
"It would be a pity were generations to grow up unaware
that history was enacted on their own doorsteps"

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAF Station Foulsham Roll of Honour held in the Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 11 April 2012.

Photo 23 RAF Station Foulsham Roll of Honour held in the Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, April 2012, with wording on cover ....

Royal Air Force Station
Foulsham

Roll of Honour
This list contains the names of 191 men who died while serving at Foulsham Airfield
May they be forever remembered by the village in which they served
FOR ALL THOSE THAT, ON THEIR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE, PASSED THIS WAY

A copy of the Roll of Honour pages for 462 Squadron may be added to this website at a later date.
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Front of Souvenir mug, Foulsham Memorial Commemoration, 1989, including 462 Squadron.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 01 November 2018.

Photo 24 – Front side of the souvenir mug, showing the Foulsham Holy Innocents' Church, with bell tower. The mug had been made for attendees of the 1989 Commemoration of the Foulsham Memorial.

It was received in 2018 from former Flight Engineer "Duke" Newstead, ex-462 Squadron, who had attended the 1989 events, but who recently decided to pass it on E.M.A.Hibberd. Thank you. Duke.

462 Squadron was relocated to Foulsham Airfield in late December 1944 (Advance party arriving on 27 December, and Main Party and Air Party on 29 December 1944). The squadron had been transferred to 100 Group, and remained at Foulsham until September 1945, with the official date of disbandment on 24 September 1945.

 

Words on Souvenir mug, Foulsham Memorial Commemoration, 1989, including 462 Squadron.
Photo by E.M.A.Hibberd, 01 November 2018.

Photo 25 Reverse side of the souvenir mug, showing the RAF image at the top, followed by the words

COMMEMORATING

R.A.F.
AIRFIELD
FOULSHAM
1942 – 1947

 

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Interior of Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, visited 23 February 2019 (462 Squadron).
Photo supplied by the Ogilvie Sisters, nieces of MU/AG Matthew Ogilvie.

Photo 26 – Interior of Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, visited 23 February 2019 by the Ogilvie Sisters, nieces of Matthew OGILVIE, Mid-upper Gunner for the ELY Crew 39. The previous table arrangement of Memorabilia, with Roll of Honour in a folder, (as seen in previous photos dated April 2012), has been changed to the angled display board, shown to the right of the photo.

 

 

Display Board in Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, visited 23 February 2019 (462 Squadron).
Photo supplied by the Ogilvie Sisters, nieces of MU/AG Matthew Ogilvie.

Photo 27 – Interior of Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, visited 23 February 2019. The Memorabilia, and laminated sheets with names in Roll of Honour, are now more visible on the display board. The Tribute sign for RAF Foulsham may be seen on the wall above the display. (Sign shown previously in Photo 22)

 

 

Introduction to the Roll of Honour, in Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, visited 23 February 2019 (462 Squadron).
Photo supplied by the Ogilvie Sisters, nieces of MU/AG Matthew Ogilvie.

Photo 28 – Display Board in Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, 23 February 2019. This is the Introduction sheet to the laminated pages of names for the Roll of Honour, as shown on the Display Board. The wording is the same as that for Photo 23, shown previously.

 

 

Visitors' Book in Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, visited 23 February 2019 (462 Squadron).
Photo supplied by the Ogilvie Sisters, nieces of MU/AG Matthew Ogilvie.

Photo 29 – Visitors' Book in Holy Innocents' Church, Foulsham, 23 February 2019. The last entry as written on that date is signed by ....
"Nieces of flgt Sgt Ogilvie" with comment ....
"KIA from here 24-2-45"
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The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust Marker 201 near entrance to the former airfield at Foulsham, 28 August 2022

 

The following is a copy of the PRESS RELEASE from Kenneth P Bannerman Director General Airfields Of Britain Trust, 23 August 2022 ....quote

Coltishall, Foulsham and Sculthorpe Airfields to be honoured with the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust's latest memorials

As a result of long planning and co-operation between the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT) – the world’s first national airfield charity – and various more local elements, three memorials will be unveiled during the weekend of 27/28 August 2022 to commemorate Coltishall, Foulsham and Sculthorpe Airfields.

Coltishall remains one of Britain’s most famous airfields since its opening in mid-1940. For a start an absolute Battle of Britain legend, it subsequently gave illustrious service in war and peace over many further decades, including during both Gulf Wars. Famous airmen such as Douglas Bader served there, while many prominent military aircraft types operated from Coltishall, including perhaps most notably during the airfield’s later years Jaguar attack aircraft. The airfield closed in November 2006, an event which ABCT attended, and since then Coltishall has faced some uncertain times but still continues to be greatly prominent in various non-aviation roles.

Foulsham was a major bomber airfield during World War Two, and opened in the spring of 1942. Towards the end of 1943 it became one of a more select band of airfields in Norfolk to participate in bomber support operations, Handley Page Halifaxes and de Havilland Mosquitoes doing everything possible to deceive and jam German air defences until the end of the world conflict. Into the 1950s Foulsham then gave further good service within the RAF in supportive capacities until closing in 1954. Although much the landing area has now disappeared, various buildings including hangars still remain for primarily industrial use.

Sculthorpe opened at the start of 1943 as a bomber airfield and later on in the 1940s following massive expansion and redevelopment became one of Britain’s biggest ever airfields. Later on that decade it reopened as a base for the United States Air Force (USAF), units then operating from there for duties such as strategic reconnaissance until the early 1960s. After this time Sculthorpe was regarded as a standby airfield but still remained available for military flying use until it eventually closed in 1992. Sadly much demolition has occurred in more recent years but this airfield like especially Coltishall still remains most evident in other forms of use.

All three memorials are of the main full-sized standardised design already widely utilised by ABCT https://www.abct.org.uk/airfield-markers/marker-programme/. The charity’s objective in this regard is to eventually commemorate each known major disused airfield in the United Kingdom with one of two forms of standardised granite memorial – nearly 200 have already been unveiled to clearly major effect (Coltishall will be the 200th), with hundreds more being planned.

Event details as follows:
Coltishall Airfield
Saturday 27 August 2022, 10.30 am, NW side of airfield, close to new Badersfield settlement, off Lamas Road, on left side of approach road to Scottow Enterprise Park, Postcode (nearest) NR10 5JR
https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/coltishall/

Foulsham Airfield
Sunday 28 August 2022, 11 am, N of Foulsham village, on NE edge of airfield, on small island of land between Hindolveston Road and Guestwick Road, Postcode (nearest) NR20 5SQ
https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/foulsham/

Sculthorpe Airfield
Sunday 28 August 2022, 2 pm, NW of Fakenham and W of airfield, on right hand side of Sculthorpe Boulevard going towards airfield after just turning off from B1454 road, Postcode (nearest) PE31 8RU 
https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/sculthorpe/

Also see ABCT's extremely popular 3,500 pages website https://www.abct.org.uk and associated social media pages for further details.
.......... end quote, Press Release

 

Foulsham memorial marker stone news article ...... quote

 

At 11.00 BST on 28th August 2022 a new memorial stone was dedicated to all who served at the former RAF Foulsham between May 1942 – February 1954.
This was one of three dedications made over that weekend in our region by The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT), who organised the erection of the Granite Stone memorials and which were unveiled by the charity's director-general Kenneth Bannerman and his team at the former RAF base at Coltishall, Foulsham and Sculthorpe in Norfolk.

The charity's director-general Kenneth Bannerman said:
"It's beyond imperative that we honour these places. The trust was set up in 2006 to recognise the contribution UK airfields had made since it would be really terrible if they weren't honoured. They are not just to do with military and war, but everyday life. Our airfields in general, they've won wars, saved lives, helped people and revolutionised everyday society.
They are also being belatedly but increasingly recognised.
It's to do with generations. The first generation – going back to World War One – they wanted to forget... but the much younger generation among us are now beginning to realise the phenomenal importance of everything to do with the wartime generation."

The 1st of the weekends ceremonies – which local people were invited to attend, took place at Coltishall airfield, close to the new Badersfield settlement off Lamas Road, on Saturday 27th August at 10:30 BST.
On Sunday 28th August at 11.00 BST the stone was dedicated at Foulsham airfield. The new memorial stone can be found on a small triangular piece of land where the old defensive pill box stands close to the original airfield entrance on the Hindolveston Road. It stands in a prominent location south east of the former Guards House & Fire Party building which was one of the first buildings to be erected on the airfield.
Those present to mark the dedication consisted of locals from Foulsham and surrounding villages, who have an interest or direct link to former operations, as well as those who travelled further afield. We were delighted to have Beryl Nobbs (the lady in the green dress) present, who is one of our village seniors who can still remember the airfield being operational.
Later on the same day at 14:00 BST a further stone was dedicated at the former RAF Sculthorpe base.
..... end quote

 

Please refer also to ABCT sites
https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/foulsham/ ...... with video of Unveiling, map, and 3 photos as below
https://www.abct.org.uk/airfield-markers/marker-programme ..... with details of Marker

Link to the Foulsham video on YouTube (from Ed Andrews)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkhdWLfKex8

Link to Richard E Flagg, Airfield & Aviation Researcher, Historian and Photographer.
http://www.ukairfields.org.uk/foulsham.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ukairfields

 

Thanks are extended to Richard Ravencroft, Richard Ravencroft (BSc Arb., M.Arbor.A., MIC For.) of Ravencroft Arboricultural Services, Foulsham, who forwarded information about the event, and kindly arranged for permission to use Copyright photos taken by Ed Andrews.

Notes from Richard Ravencroft 27 August 2022
"I shall be attending the dedication of the new memorial tomorrow. It has taken a couple of years of correspondence to sort this out what with COVID, also to find a suitable location and land owner permission, but I am pleased to say that the stone has now been erected in a very appropriate and prominent place close to the old pill box on the entrance to the airfield. I shall send you photos of tomorrow's event."

During my visit to Foulsham in April 2012, Richard also showed me around the village, and the old airfield, as well as other WW2 sites of interest in Norfolk. His son Robbie assisted during one photo-expedition, and I also met up with Richard's wife, Sally, and daughter Sarah. Richard and Sally and I had a very nice evening meal at the "King's Arms", Reepham. Thank you all for giving your time, knowledge, assistance, and hospitality, including computer use to save and download many photos.

NOTE: links to Internet sites were current as of 06 Nov 2022. If links fail, please try a search using your Internet browser.

 

 

ABCT Marker 201, Foulsham, 28 August 2022, unveiled by Kenneth P Bannerman and Richard Ravencroft.

Photo 30 – ABCT Marker 201, Foulsham, 28 August 2022, unveiled by Kenneth P Bannerman (on left) and Richard Ravencroft (on right).
Behind the Memorial is the brick former defensive "Pill Box".

 

 

ABCT Marker 201, Foulsham, 28 August 2022, group at unveiling of Granite Memorial.

Photo 31 – ABCT Marker 201, Foulsham, 28 August 2022, group at unveiling of Granite Memorial – Kenneth P Bannerman (left of Memorial), Richard Ravencroft (right of Memorial), and visitors who attended the official unveiling.

 

 

 

ABCT Marker 201, Foulsham, 28 August 2022, Granite Memorial Stone with inscription.

Photo 32 – ABCT Marker 201, Foulsham, 28 August 2022, Granite Memorial Stone with inscription, and former Pill Box in background.

 

 

Transcription of the Memorial inscription

IN MEMORY OF
FOULSHAM AIRFIELD

OPENED 05.1942
CLOSED 02.1954

DEDICATED TO ALL UNITS
AND PERSONNEL BASED HERE

AIRFIELDS
OF BRITAIN

Conservation Trust

www.abct.org.uk

UNVEILED BY
KENNETH P BANNERMAN
DIRECTOR GENERAL, ABCT
28.08.2022

   

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