This is an open invitation to all of you. Many of you are familiar with the Johnny Wiseman story by now, and my attempt to raise a memorial for him. The memorial plans are going ahead, and are just about finalised. The stone has been ordered (1 metre above-ground height, 40 cm wide, and 10 cm deep), The plaques have been ordered (2 engraved brass plaques, measuring 20 x 30 cm), the flypast is agreed to (they asked what I wanted, I didn’t know how to answer that – ideas? its Jaguars from 41 Squadron at Coltishall. Missing man? Flypast and vertical break?). The ceremony is in the final stages of planning – although I have yet to sort a ‘padre’, – and things are all coming together.
So, you are all invited. Therefore, to consider it, you need to know where and when.
The ceremony will be on Monday 14th July. This will be 60 years and 6 months after the loss of Johnny Wiseman and ‘Babe’ Haddon. It is also the day after Duxford Flying Legends, which is not a massive distance away. The ceremony will be in Martham, Norfolk. This is near Great Yarmouth, in the heart of the Broads. It was planned for this date as there are 609 Typhoon pilots attending the Duxford show for the launch of ‘609 at War’ – a photographic record of the Squadron, on which my input was a year of at least 6 hours work a day, scanning and restoring battered images. I have seen the pre-production copy, and thoroughly recommend that you all go and buy one off the Vector Fine-arts stand. Its £20, you can get a bunch of signatures, and its limited to 609 copies. (Incidentally, I get no payment, royalties or anything, so this isn’t a sales pitch to line my own pocket! It’s a unique book, and a unique opportunity). Its doubtful, however, that any 609’ers will be attending my ‘do’ as 3 days away is a lot of planning for octogenarians. We’ll see. Johnny’s sister and Babe’s brother, however, will hopefully both be there. I haven’t decided on a time for certain, as I need to check with Coltishall – but I’m thinking around either 11 or 2. Any preference?
Now, for those of you who require accommodation on the Sunday night, I’ll recce somewhere this weekend, in Lowestoft, that’s advertising for £15 a night. Its over a pub, but should be ok. If you want a Travelodge, or somewhere posh, I can sort that out too. What I suggest is we can all go out for a meal. So, if you wish to stay the Sunday night, PM me and I’ll sort it out. If you just want to attend the memorial unveiling, PM me as well – I need an idea of numbers for refreshments and so on. I’m sure it would be really appreciated by Betty and Ron. It certainly will by me.
I look forward to seeing you there!
By: Snapper - 7th June 2003 at 19:10
Keep looking mate, keep looking. One new item a day, for the next few weeks. History is, as they say, at your fingertips. Today, a bonus. I, for one, am gobsmacked. That was from ‘Babe’ Haddon’s brother. These, from Johnny Wisemans sister. I don’t think she realised they were amongst the pictures, hidden behind one of John in a small plastic photo wallet.
By: Merlin3945 - 7th June 2003 at 18:39
nice piece of history there Mark. You dont often get to see things like that.
By: Snapper - 7th June 2003 at 09:24
This is the debt we owe. Repeated many thousands of times over.
By: sparky - 6th June 2003 at 14:51
count me in.
😀
By: Snapper - 6th June 2003 at 14:08
Great idea about a double ‘Missing Man’. Fingers crossed.
Umm, actually I am a bit short on cash at present – not massively, but a few more quid would be handy. Surplus from all the doings will be either used for another or donated elsewhere with an aviation connection – i’ll hold a vote on that.
So, if anyone would like to send me a bob or two, the address is:
Mark Crame
38 Tennyson Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR32 1PS
Cheques made out to:
“M Crame / J Wiseman Fund”
It would be very appreciated. Thanks.
(ps Kev – can you e-mail me your poem please – i’ll bung it on the preliminary Order of service – i’m planning on visiting Betty this weekend if possible).
Mark.
By: Ashley - 6th June 2003 at 12:12
Invitation accepted, thank you 🙂
As Kev has already said, if there is any way we can help…don’t hesitate to ask
Becka
By: Yak 11 Fan - 6th June 2003 at 12:06
I see no reason why I wouldn’t be able to be there, I am away all weekend but back on the Monday.
By: kev35 - 6th June 2003 at 11:56
Mark.
You know I will be there, and it’s looking ok for bringing Ron down if required. I’ll be at my first ‘Legends’ on Sunday and will most definitely stay for the unveiling. Re 41 Sqdn, could you ask them to do a missing man twice? Once for Johnny and once for Babe. I think it would be a hugely satisfying gesture for both Betty and Ron. As for a padre would Coltishall supply one? It’s just a thought but you are paying a great tribute to two of their fallen, perhaps the RAF would like a small presence there.
This is a fine example of one person’s efforts to repay just a little of the debt we all owe. Thanks to you I’m sure Johnny and Babe would appreciate your efforts in ensuring their memory lives on. It’s also a fine example of what can be achieved through research and also determination. I will be honoured to be at the unveiling.
Is there anything we can do to help you out at this late stage? Would a donation be useful to help cover any shortfall? If there is anything I can do don’t hesitate to ask.
Regards,
kev35
Sign In
June 6, 2003 at 11:22 am