Stirling Memorial
For those of you who have ever visited our workshops or even cast your eye over our address, Stage One’s link with UK wartime history will be apparent. Our workshops occupy three World War 2 aircraft hangars on what was Marston Moor Airfield and so we were very proud to be asked to help with the design and manufacture of a memorial commemorating a tragic air accident that occurred just after the war.
In October 1945, a Stirling Bomber on a late night training flight crashed into in the main street of the village, killing seven people and devastating 19 houses. As this event happened after hostilities ceased, it had never been suitably marked until now, 70 years later. The unveiling of the memorial took place on Sunday with the dedication by the Bishop of Selby. Organised by Normal Waller, Chair of the Parish Council, the ceremony was attended by descendants of those killed, representatives from RAF Linton on Ouse, the British Legion and local community groups.
Jim Tinsley, Technical Director: “The sad human tragedy marked by the memorial is part of the larger story of the local community and how the life of the airfield and the village of Tockwith became interwoven. Working in the aircraft hangars every day as we do and with many employees living locally, the story resonates with us and we were glad to be able to lend our skills to a piece of local history that deserves to be heard and suitably commemorated.”
Photography: Adrian Ray
