THE PORTREATH MEMORIAL
This memorial was unveiled at RAF Station Portreath on the 14th March 2002
to commemorate the many flying units stationed there during WW II and
immediately afterwards. Situated on the North coast of Cornwall, it was the
furthest of any airfield with a runway long enough for a Halifax with extra fuel
to tow off a Horsa glider. Destination Sale, Morocco, for the Tunisian
campagne. The memorial’s propellor came from a Spitfire shot down on the
2nd October 1940. The pilot ditched in the channel but was later killed in
action one year later.
Plans were then drawn up to add a further plaque in memory of the Glider
Pilots lost in the Sicily operation.
to commemorate the many flying units stationed there during WW II and
immediately afterwards. Situated on the North coast of Cornwall, it was the
furthest of any airfield with a runway long enough for a Halifax with extra fuel
to tow off a Horsa glider. Destination Sale, Morocco, for the Tunisian
campagne. The memorial’s propellor came from a Spitfire shot down on the
2nd October 1940. The pilot ditched in the channel but was later killed in
action one year later.
Plans were then drawn up to add a further plaque in memory of the Glider
Pilots lost in the Sicily operation.
Thanks to the efforts of Doug Powell, who acted as the local liaison office, and an
RAF Airman Sergeant John Miller the plaque was in position and unveiled on the
11th September 2002.
RAF Airman Sergeant John Miller the plaque was in position and unveiled on the
11th September 2002.
L-R: SSM Matt Barlow, AAC, Brig. Maurice Sutcliffe, Wilf Harrison, Wg. Cdr. “Buster” Briggs,
Lt. Col. “Nick” Nicholls, Doug Powell, MajorJ. Graham. Vernon Jennings, S/Sgt. “Lofty” Linthwaite