|
RAF Firbeck Memorial Fund Appeal - Noel Ryan &
Chris Percy
Tucked away in the
south-east corner of South Yorkshire, a short distance south of the
former pit village of Maltby and near the historic Roche Abbey, lies the
little, unassuming disused airfield of RAF Firbeck. Opened before World
War 2, it was the private airfield for the nearby Firbeck Hall, a large
residential Country Club for the very well-heeled in society.
Requisitioned in WW2, the airfield was the home to Army Co-Op Squadrons
but also doubled up as a Relief Landing Ground for RAF Hucknall and
latterly (1944 onwards) was under the administration of 21 Group
(Training), which saw a limited amount of gliding take place until
closure in 1948.
The principal resident Squadrons, 613 (Lysanders), 654 (Auster I) and
659 (formed here with Auster IIIs) were largely used for local duties
with nearby Army and Home Guard units. However, with the invasion of
mainland Europe, 645 Sqn and 659 Sqn were moved out and closely followed
the advancing Allied forces acting as air observation for artillery
units, winning two DFCs in the process.
Post-War, the airfield was rapidly run
down and the very temporary accommodation and technical site removed and
the landing ground was returned to agriculture. A few relics remain
scattered around: a pair of unusually designed air raid shelters in a
local wood and the NCOs mess in the grounds of Firbeck Hall Farm (the
Nissen hut watch office was moved there and now forms an extension to
the Mess). In the 1980s, these huts formed the exhibition halls of the
South Yorkshire Aviation Preservation Society's museum. The majority of
this collection formed the nucleus of Aeroventure, now at
former RAF Doncaster.
A recent visit by Noel Ryan and myself saw the idea of a simple memorial
germinate. A perfect location was found at the junction of three public
footpaths on the concrete base of one of Firbeck's small blister
hangars. On the same day, contact was made with the landowner who was
immediately enthusiastic. Over the weeks, a concerted effort to raise
local awareness, including a leaflet drop in the village, which has
resulted in very positive local feedback. Various Local Authority and
Parish Councillors have also expressed a very positive attitude towards
the project too – useful for the planning application process! Already,
support has been pledged by the 613 Sqn Association and the village pub
is to hold an auction. A dedicated bank account is in the process of
being set up with the Co-Operative Bank (Community DirectPlus Account)
(delayed due to the number of applicants for other community projects!);
once open, a Pay Pal link will be organised for on-line donations via
the Firbeck Memorial Fund Appeal web site (see below for
details) and other on-line donation opportunities, including AiX. An
announcement will be made on the forum once the Pay Pal link is
established.
So far, the project has identified a suitable manufacturer for the
stainless steel laser-engraved plaque, measuring 14” x 12”) and the
cairn itself is to be of concrete core construction clad in
locally-sourced, dressed limestone.
And this is where ARG comes in – so far as
we know, this is the first ARG-endorsed memorial project of its kind. As
such, we very much hope that ARG members will find a little something to
help support the memorial fund – every little helps! For the time being,
pledges and donations can be made by cheque made payable to the FIRBECK
AIRFIELD MEMORIAL FUND to the address below. Announcements and updates
will be made regularly on the forum and hopefully, we can have an
e-newsletter for similar purposes.
The proposed dedication date is the 25th August, 2011 but for
the time being this is, to a certain degree, flexible.
Please support us in this venture to help remember a little airfield
with an interesting history and ensure it is not forgotten! Thank you!
|
