P/O R H Shaw

Although that link also shows it as the memorial to Plt Off Robert Henry Shaw, it is still known as ‘The Airman’s Garden’ and the cross only indicates an RAF pilot. The family know he is there, but they wanted it to remain without his name to represent all other pilots missing in the Battle of Britain – a kind of ‘Unknown Warriors Tomb’ for the Battle.

That was my thoughts exactly, Andy – but I wanted to post a link of some sort, and it’s actually very hard to find anything with an image online. It turns out there’s quite a nice photo on, of all places, the next village’s Wikipedia page – here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_Valence#/media/File:PO_Shaw_memorial_Chart_Road.jpg

Thank you for pointing that out – now you’ve confirmed it I will also make a note where it was posted elsewhere yesterday.

And may I also say “Well done!”.

Adrian

Appreciated.

Working out who the casualty was, proving it, and then finding the family was a satisfying experience. The more so to know that family members still attend the annual ceremony. However, the information online with the BBM site is incorrect:

‘Excavation of the site in 1987 revealed engine plates confirming that P3782 had impacted there. No human remains were found but the site is now marked by a memorial garden where an annual memorial service is held.’

No excavation has ever taken place here. Instead, the identity of the aircraft and pilot was established through documents discovered during the late 1970s early 80s. The aircraft, and its pilot, remain entombed beneath the memorial garden – except that it is now known who that pilot was.