THREE women will make a special journey from the United States to Pembrokeshire next month to pay tribute to their fathers who lost their lives in a wartime air crash 62 years ago.
During thick fog, on June 4th, 1943, a Martin Maurauder twin-engined medium bomber of the US Army Air Force crashed into the slopes of Carn Llidi, overlooking White sands, killing all four crew members.
On June 4th, at 4pm, there will be the unveiling of a unique memorial to those young US airmen.
The ceremony will take place in Whitesands beach car park. The memorial is in the form of a propeller blade found on the mountainside a few years ago and refurbished by Hastie/Metspray Ltd, Swansea.
There is also a stainless steel plaque bearing the names of the crew - Lieutenant R. E. Lawrence, pilot; Lieutenant H. H. Robertson, navigator, Flying Officer J. G. Jackson, co-pilot and Sergeant W. A. Brown, engineer.
Present at the ceremony will be two daughters of Lt Lawrence, a daughter of Lt Robertson, the mayor of St Davids, and members of St Davids city council and Pembrokeshire Aviation Group.
The doomed aircraft was part of a formation on a delivery flight to RAF St Eval, Cornwall, via South America, Ascension Island, and North Africa. But, due to poor weather and fog, the formation became separated as it neared Britain.
The other aircraft met different fates. One crashed near Llanelli, killing all crew members, one force-landed on a beach in Ireland, two others found RAF airfields, but had minor landing incidents, and the remaining three landed without incident.
Anyone interested in attending the ceremony is welcome and the organisers are also looking for a choir to sing at the service. For more information contact Steve Jones on 01639 761315.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article