A memorial was sited in agreement with the church authorities in Holy Trinity Church, Yearsley in 2011 and on 8th May 2011 a well organised memorial dedication service saw a packed church, it was attended by family members of some of the crew who had flown in from Canada especially, service veterans and local people. The Reverend Ian Kitchen conducted the service. The memorial was unveiled by Mrs Trish Best; daughter of the surviving member of the crew, Sgt Fortier and a wreath was placed in the church by Colonel Paul Keddy, Air Force Advisor to the UK, Canadian High Commission, London. Kirkbymoorside Brass Band supplied the music, The Last Post and Reveille.
Local man Mr David Crane told the assembled the story of how the aircraft came to end up in the village and gave details of members of the crew named on the plaque. Historian and author Mr Richard Knott gave a detailed explanation of the Berlin raid of 16th December 1943 and the events surrounding the accident. Mr Tom Kneale, nephew of the pilot, read a letter from G/Cpt William Swetman DSO DFC who was 426 Squadron's commanding officer at the time of the crash. Mr Kneale also gave an appreciation to Mr Smith for his efforts.
A well-stocked buffet and light entertainment was then provided at Mr and Mrs Smith's house for all those in attendance. A display of research by myself, Mrs Penny Johnston and Mr David Smith was also shown together with a small collection of aircraft parts and other more general information about the Air-War in Yorkshire.
Mrs Trish Best unveils the memorial in Yearsley Church.
The Rev. Kitchen beside the memorial plaque.
My wife and I were kindly invited to the service and I was able to bring a party of four fellow air historians to the service all active in their individual aircrew rememberence activities.
I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Smith for inviting me and my wife to the memorial service and for the invitations to air historians Mr Ken Reast, Mr Eric Barton, Mr David Thompson and Mr David Morris. I would also like to thank Mrs Penny Johnston for her hard work researching the loss and Mr and Mrs Winfield for allowing everyone to visit their property over a hectic few days.