Sgt. Norman Geoffrey Crabtree – a favour please.

Ed.

Thanks so much for doing that, I can’t tell you how much it is appreciated. There are some very interesting characters buried in that little area of Witton. Not least of all is Len Garvey. If I’d have stayed in that part of the world then I think I would probably have tried to do more research on those buried there. But it seems like Edinburgh is to be my new home and thus much of my efforts will be concentrated here. A recent visit to an Art Fair at the Corn Exchange has given me an idea for a project so we’ll see.

Thanks again for your efforts Ed, it is appreciated more than I can say.

Kind regards,

kev35

I think the real reason is that the Debden history on that site starts in 1942, after the Americans took over, as many English men are noted on there. Including Flight Lieutenant Edward G. Brettell RAF 133 Squadron.

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/18310

Might also be because they weren’t American, Debden was home to 52 OTU at the time.

Adrian

AAM American Air Museum. I’m not quite awake yet,

ARM?

Adrian

Thanks Adrian.
Strange I can’t find either man or planes listed on ARM.

No, this one:

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=162834

Sgt Ian Macdonald Cheyne and Sgt William Fleming, both of the RNZAF.

Adrian

Adrian. Can only find one collision.
was it this one?

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/240296

Cheyne and Fleming, I think, trumper. Killed in a collision in 1941. Should you get the chance to update my paltry effort I would be eternally grateful.

Can’t currently recall first names.

Adrian

Bravo Ed, I’m sure the gesture is appreciated.

I left a cross at the new Debden memorial over the remembrance weekend, specifically for two young men who travelled half the world to fight for Britain, only to die in a collision without ever facing the foe, as my father watched. And I didn’t even have a pencil on me to write their names on the cross. Not impressed with myself.

Adrian

Can i ask which incident that was please? .Had i seen this this morning before i went to Saffron Walden i could’ve done it for you.

Bravo Ed, I’m sure the gesture is appreciated.

I left a cross at the new Debden memorial over the remembrance weekend, specifically for two young men who travelled half the world to fight for Britain, only to die in a collision without ever facing the foe, as my father watched. And I didn’t even have a pencil on me to write their names on the cross. Not impressed with myself.

Adrian

Hello Kev,
After seeing your request on the forum I was able to drop by at Sgt Crabtree’s grave on Saturday.
I had a spare poppy appeal wooden cross with me which I placed in front of his headstone bearing the words “Not forgotten.”
This was easily done as, to my surprise, Sgt Crabtree lies just a few yards from the grave of Sgt Len Garvey of 41 Squadron which I have kept an eye on for many years.
Apologies for the quality of the image but the weather was poor yesterday.
Regards,
Ed
[ATTACH=CONFIG]241972[/ATTACH]

Thanks Creaking Door (Warren?)

I’d really appreciate it and I’m sure he won’t mind waiting till it’s convenient for you. And thanks for the welcome back. I’ve been away too long but my head wasn’t in the right place. To be honest I wasn’t in a fit state to be doing anything, physically or mentally, other than caring for Dad. But that’s been over for some time now and I’m looking at things with a new enthusiasm. This was, and I’m sure remains, an interesting and vibrant community. I’m hoping I’ll be able to contribute more in future.

Regards,

kev35

Nice to see you posting on the forum again Kev; your situation, or at least your location, seems to have changed enormously and I hope the change has been a positive one.

I will programme the location of Sergeant Crabtree’s grave into my sat-nav; I must often pass within a few miles of it and if I do so, and I have the time, I will try and visit and leave an offering on your behalf. I can’t promise it will be in the next few weeks but I’ll try my best.

Thanks for the responses, I know it’s a big ask.

Gary, I haven’t forgotten Kenneth Wastell either and it remains a source of disappointment to me that as far as I managed to get with his story, I never found a photograph. I live in hope that one day something else will come to light.

This Sunday I will be attending a Remembrance Ceremony in a very different location to the usual, but just as in every year, my mind will be flooded with thoughts of those whose stories have become known to me as much as those I have yet to discover and the countless thousands who I will never come to ‘know.’

As I sit here quietly typing this another generation of young men and women are preparing to place themselves in harms way – the evidence is clear as the warm breeze carries the sound of small arms fire from the range in the lee of the hills. Lest we forget is an easy thing to say but real life intrudes, Remembrance is sometimes far from our thoughts, but here, in a Garrison City, it is harder to forget. I am reminded by the sound of gunfire, squaddies shopping in the nearby supermarkets, the skirl of pipes as lone Pipers practice as they wander around the grounds of Redford barracks. I am reminded of a warm summer evening when I went to sit in the garden just before six in the evening. As I sat there basking in both the warm glow of a slowly lowering sun and the memory of a really good day, at 6PM precisely I heard the first plaintive notes from a bugle. Sunset was being played, note perfect. No traffic noise from the bypass, no birdsong, no noise of children playing. A few minutes of peace and tranquility. Made me think that two minutes isn’t really much to ask for is it?

Perhaps remembering IS the easy part, perhaps the real challenge comes in trying to repay the debt.

Regards,

kev35

^^^^^^^ I like that Jack ,very moving.Sorry Kev but likewise too far away.I still look at the church spire in St Ives though so another aviator from a different era not forgotten not forgotten here.

I also cannot, but as they say “you die twice once when you take your last breath, and again when your name is last spoken and then you are forgotten”, so I’m sure Sgt.Crabtree does appreciates your visits and your concern for him…

regards,
jack…

I cannot, Kev, but I can respond and keep this near the top to make it easier to spot.

I admire your dedication over the years very much.

Adrian