Final Plaque on Airmen Memorial Wall at Grangemouth
98 Books about Poland | Polish War Graves in Britain
On 2nd November 2013 the final plaque on the Memorial Wall in Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth, was unveiled. The Memorial Wall commemorates 71 aircrew killed while serving at RAF Grangemouth during the 2nd World War. The final plaque tells the story of how the air cadets of 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) squadron brought to fruition the building of the Memorial Wall and the later erection of a full size replica Spitfire.
Photo: The final plaque on the Memorial Wall. (24 Nov 2013)
The air cadets studied the history of RAF Grangemouth and the contribution of Polish pilots to 58 Operational Training Unit based at Grangemouth. They visited Poland in 2007 as guests of the Polish Air Force and in September 2008 the Memorial Wall was unveiled by Air Marshall Sir Rodger Austin KCB.
Photo: On a day of heavy rain the air cadets of 1333 squadron march towards the Memorial Wall prior to the unveiling of the final plaque. (2 Nov 2013)
The cadets of 1333 squadron then decided that another memorial, in the form of a full size replica Spitfire, should be erected in honour of all those who served at RAF Grangemouth during World War Two. On 9 May 2013 the replica Spitfire was unveiled by the cadets.
Photo: Ian Scott, a local historian of Falkirk, speaks about the airmen being commemorated during the unveiling ceremony. Jackie "Dinger" Bell (101 years old), a former aircraft fitter at RAF Grangemouth, and the Falkirk Provost Pat Reid look on. (2 Nov 2013)
Every year on Remembrance Sunday the air cadets of 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) squadron remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in war by laying poppies on the war graves in Grandsable cemetery in Grangemouth.
Related Material
- Spitfire Memorial at Grangemouth (34 photos)
- Polish Airmen Remembered at Grangemouth (26 photos)
Added on 30 November 2013.