First memorial to those who reached for stars

It is due to be dedicated at the Cenotaph in Paragon Square in Hull on Battle of Britain Sunday, September 18.

Spokesman for the Hull branch of the Royal Air Forces Association Ian Russell said: “Last year we noticed that there was a space for a memorial.

“There is nothing specifically for the RAF – there is something for Korean veterans and the Royal Navy and various different groups and when I became the public relations officer for the branch I was asked to look at it,” he said.

Mr Russell, who served as a ground electrician from 1957 until 1959, mostly at Linton-on-Ouse, added: “It only took three days for planning to be granted.

“It will be a very proud moment. We usually have quite a crowd join us and this year should be an extra-special occasion.”

The memorial consists of a light grey granite ledger standing on a Portland stone plinth which reads: “In friendship and in service one to another we are pledged to keep alive the memory of those of all nations who died in the Royal Air Force and in the Air Forces of the Commonwealth.

“In their name we give ourselves to this noble cause. Proudly and thankfully we will remember them.”

The memorial remembers all those who have served in the Royal Air Forces since the First World War when the RAF was formed.

There were numerous airfields in the East Riding, including RAF Driffield, RAF Bempton as well as early warning stations at Holmpton and Patrington.

For many years there was a School of Fire Fighting at Sutton, near Hull. Leconfield became an RAF station in 1937. In 1941 the runway was extended and the airfield became part of Bomber Command. It is now the Defence School of Transport, Europe’s largest driver training establishment but has two Sea King helicopters based there in a search and rescue role.