SAS memorial press release re May 31

Stirling Aircraft Society

Patrons: Dame Vera Lynn OBE
Frank Clear DFC

PRESS RELEASE 4th May 2009

On Sunday 31st May 2009, the Stirling Aircraft Society will be holding a short ceremony for the dedication and unveiling of a memorial to air and ground crews who gave their lives in WW2 serving with Stirling squadrons. The event (ticket only) takes place at the Mildenhall Museum between 1400 and 1530 (6 King St., Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmunds, IP28 7EX). Our patron, Dame Vera Lynn, will unveil the memorial. Our agenda is:

Time
Activity
1400 Arrival and refreshments
1430 Welcome and opening (Mildenhall Museum representative)
1435 Chair’s welcome & acknowledgements
1440 President’s address, Group Captain Gerry Blacklock, OBE, DFC, DFM. Blessing & dedication, last post, minutes silence, poem,
1455 Dame Vera Lynn unveils memorial
1500 Veterans remarks on memorial, squadrons in the Mildenhall area & elsewhere – the people to whom this memorial is dedicated
1510 Remarks from Officer Commanding 100th AFW USAF (invited)
1515 Closing remarks by serving RAF officer
1520 Museum invites people to partake of refreshments & view the plaque and photographic display

The Short Stirling is a very special aeroplane. It was the first four engine “heavy” to enter service in WW2, possessed extraordinary manoeuvrability and played a pathfinding role in aviation history, helping Air Force crews develop the flying and operational tactics and skills in the early part of the war. The Stirling went on to serve with distinction on D-Day and at Arnhem.

This is a big year for the Society and for our sister organisation, the Stirling Project. There is renewed interest in the aircraft, for example from the City of Stirling and 1019 (City of Stirling) Air Cadets. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the flight of the first two prototypes and we shall be holding a number of events to mark that. We have about 160 members including many veterans, and membership is just £8.00 a year. We produce four publications a year and meet up at regional “get-togethers” (“noggin and natters”) and other events.

• Mildenhall Museum www.mildenhallmuseum.co.uk
• Stirling Aircraft Society stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
• The Stirling Project www.stirlingproject.co.uk/
• The Short Stirling aeroplane www.stirling.box.nl/home.htm .
• The Stirling in Stirling! Page 25 at www.stirling.gov.uk/focus_spring_08low-2.pdf