Crowland man calls for memorial to honour Second World War air crews who lost their lives fighting in the skies above South Holland

A passionate history buff wants to build a memorial to the aircraft that crashed in our area during the Second World War.

Crowland’s Daniel Abbott (41) has been researching the stories of a number of planes that plunged to their fate in South Holland during the conflict.

He says he’s uncovered 19 such incidents within a 15-mile radius of Crowland and thinks it’s now time to raise awareness of the past - and pay respects to the dozens of airmen who died in the crashes.

Mr Abbott explained: “We want to build a memorial at Brotherhouse Bar - it’s a high point and you would just about be able to see where all the aircraft crashed.

“The majority of the aircraft were fighting up above us or were on their way home and ran out of fuel or got shot by the Germans while coming home.”

There is a memorial in Cloot Drove to two Lancaster Bombers that collided in mid air while practising for a night mission, but the rest of the incidents don’t have a permanent memorial in the area.

Daniel’s passion for Second World War history was inspired by grandad Ted, who served in Iceland and Gibraltar during the conflict.

He’s been collecting 1940s memorabilia for a number of years and keeps it in two buildings resembling Anderson shelters and last year decked out his driveway in celebration of VE Day.

Mr Abbott thinks its important that the area commemorates the incidents, adding: “It’s all forgotten but we should remember.

“I would like to keep this history alive for generations to come.

“Once the older generation have passed away those memories have gone for life. If we could put something out there so that people are aware of this history then it would raise awareness.

“I know there’s a memorial in Cambridge where some of the airmen are buried, but they are not mentioned locally and I think people would appreciate it if we took the time to do this for the families.”

Mr Abbott’s plan is for a memorial plaque to be set back from the road, surrounded by a stone wall, with a map of the area showing where the aircraft had crashed

He has lobbied Moulton, Cowbit and Crowland parish councils and has received support from councillors.

He’s keen to hear from anyone who can help to fund the memorial project or offer practical assistance to bring the idea to fruition.

You can get in touch by emailing abbottofcrowland@gmail.com.