An event originally planned to take place during 2020 has been re-arranged to help to raise funds to install a permanent memorial in remembrance of the crew of an RAF Stirling Bomber which crashed on the outskirts of Shildon on 31 May 1944.
As previously reported in the Crier, the aircraft had been setting out on a training flight from RAF Wigsley in Lincolnshire with a crew of seven: Pilot Officer Stanley Wilson, 27 of Newcastle; Flt. Eng. Sgt Donald Curtis, 23 from Ebbw Vale; Nav. Sgt. Nathaniel Crawford, 30, from Larne; Bomb Aimer John Brooks from Salford; Wireless Op. Sgt. Fred Bates, 21, of Blackpool; Air Gunner Sgt. Thomas Parr from Droylsden and Air Gunner Sgt. Walter Lawton of Liverpool.
The ailing aircraft had come from the direction of Bradbury, over Leasingthorne and Old Eldon, then low over the four lane ends before finally crashing west of Spout Lane behind West Thickley Farm. All seven airmen were killed.
Allan Ellwood of the Shildon History Recall Society explained that a modest plaque referring to the crash had once been placed on a bench in the town to remember the crew, but this had since been removed.
Despite the previous event having been cancelled due to the Covid outbreak, Mr Ellwood has continued to be resolute that a new enduring memorial should be erected.
Dave Reynolds, of the Shildon Heritage Alliance CIC, co-organising the event said, “We were tremendously disappointed when we had to cancel the planned event to help Alan and his group, but it was only ever a postponement.
“When we come together as a community we can make great things happen. We’re totally behind the Recall History Society in this ambition, for the town and for the descendants of those seven airmen.”
The event, a 1940s Entertainment, will take place on the evening of Saturday 19 March at the Railway Institute.
The organisers will be aiming to recreate the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the nineteen-forties with the help of ‘the Geordie Sweetheart’, Wor Vera, whose stage show contains many well known songs from the era.
There will also be an appearance by the Shildon Institute Singers. The hall will be decorated patriotically.
There will be additional opportunities for everyone to enter into the spirit by taking part in a sing-along, and though it’s not mandatory, those attending are welcome to add to the atmosphere by dressing in 1940s style.
Tickets cost just £7 and are available from the Institute bar or can be bought online through the online ticket shop at www.shildonrailway.institute.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
