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Foundation History 1971 - Present Day

Remembrance Day Is Everyday

26th August 2025 Archaeological Survey Started by Cotswold Archaeology

Following receipt of the information kindly forwarded to us by Mark Rankine, regarding an archaeological survey that was taking place on an area where a de-Havilland Mosquito is believed to of crashed; I was able to source details of the archaeological team involved which turned out to be Cotswold Archaeology. That morning I phoned their Fieldwork officer for the area Adrian Scruby and told him of the Mosquito crash at the location, and he informed me that they had found no record of the incident. I advised him there was most defiantly a crash in close proximity to where they were planning their excavation and that I was more than happy to send him a 14 page crash report on the aircraft concerned, Mosquito HK304. He advised me that a number of trenches had already been dug and the dig was in operation, also that the property developers Persimmon Homes had surveyed the site. I expressed my concern that there may be a chance of them inadvertently unearthing parts of the aircraft and offerd to bring along a number of experts to search their spoil piles once they had got more established, who could readily spot anything that may be aircraft related, he thanked me and said he would see if he could arrange permission for our visit. I emailed him the 14 page crash report documents that day.  David King Chairman Aircrew Remembrance Society.

Research & Correspondence

26th August 2025 Archeological Survey Started.

On the 26th August Mark Rankine made contact asking for advice and assistance regarding an archeological survey that had started on an area where a de-Havilland Mosquito is believed to of crashed. Mark tells us they are digging looking for iron age/ medieval/Roman stuff. However there's a chance they could find bits to do with the mosquito as it's in the area.

Research & Correspondence

10th October 2025. Archeological Survey Update.

As it was now over six weeks since contacting Cotswold Archaeology Fieldwork officer Adrian Scruby (26th August 2025 Archaeological Survey) and also providing him with crash documentation relating Mosquito HK304, along with our offer of help and assistance, I was there for surprized when I phoned him yesterday to be told without explanation that their excavations were finished, which is strange as they had started numerous trenches over a wide area? I was also told that my request for the society to help survey the finds had been denied by the property developers Persimmon Homes, who own the land and intend to build 170 new dwellings on this prime arable land. The documentation relating to Mosquito HK304 had also been forwarded to Persimmon Homes.  David King.

Research & Correspondence

1st October 2026 Update from Mark Rankind regarding Mosquito HK304.

Mark contacted the Society recently with an update:

  I thought I’d give you a little update – yes, the story continues !! Road Naming The field (Steppingley Road Field) where the Airmen were lost in 1945 is currently being developed by Persimmon homes and is due to be complete within the next 3 years. I visited the show home on Saturday, which was adorned with references to DeHavilland and the Mosquito, it was lovely to see. I have named the roads and they are the following.  I suggested the design of the DeHavilland road sign, which I think is unique for its type in the UK, which has been taken on board and being used. De Havilland Way Bonnewitt Grove (Pilot) Muncaster Gardens (Navigator) Sismore Mead (RAFs most famous WW2 Navigator whose daughter unveiled the memorial in 2021) FYI Should there be a road naming ceremony, I’m forever hopeful we will have relatives of people like Ted Sismore attend along with those connected with De Havilland, I am also trying for a flypast when the ceremony takes place. Raymond Binamee never got back to my emails and requests I don’t know if he is still with us now, but I tried and tried! Community champions Grant I have also applied for a community champions grant of at least £6,000 to further improve the Rufus Centre Memorial garden which I think has a very good chance of success. I will likely find out this week. Pictures of the memorial and garden as it is now can be found here would be nice to have a picture of the commemorative badges alongside the drawing of HK304 they have helped dozens of charities and raised thousands of pounds. (picture enclosed) www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial Remembrance Sunday Morning I lead a small dedication remembering the two airmen, with wreaths being laid (picture enclosed) Take care, Mark.

Research & Correspondence

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Frequently Used Sources used in Support and illustration of Society Remembrance site pages

Organisations :
I.W.M. (Imperial War Museum) C.W.G.C. (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) P.R.O. (Public Records Office) (National Archives)  N.A.A. (National Archives of Australia) The Air Forces Memorial Runnymede Panels (WW2Talk) Chiltern Aircraft Preservation Society Archives (David King & Alexander D King) Booker Aircraft Museum Archives, (David King & Alexander D King) Aircrew Remembrance Society Archives

Publications, Authors, Records, Reference works, Press  & Press Photography :
Bomber Command Losses (W.R. Chorley All Volumes) Fighter Command Losses  (Norman L. R. Franks All Volumes) Air-Britain Serials, Individual Aircraft Files & Publications, Ai-Britain, Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945 (Ray Sturtivant, I.S.O. with Mick Burrow) After The Battle Publications The Blitz Then And Now  Volumes 1,2 & 3, The Battle Of Britain Then And Now, The Battle Of France Then and Now, (Editor Winston G. Ramsey, Assistant Editor Gordon Ramsey) Bomber Losses Middle East & Mediterranean (David Gunby & Pelham Temple) Coastal Command Losses (Ross McNeill,) The Nuremberg Raid (Martin Middlebrook), The Source Book (Ken Delve) Mighty Eighth war Diary (Roger A. Freeman)  The B-17 Flying Fortress Story (Roger A. Freeman) Daily Telegraph (Harry Flower War Correspondent), Kent Messenger, Planet News, Fox Photos,

Aviation Artist & Profile Illustrators:
Robert Taylor, Mark Postlethwaite, Adam Tooby, Robert Tomlin, Simon Atack, Roy Grinnell, Gerald Coulson, Nicolas Trudgian, Keith Aspinall, Iain Wyllie, Ivan Berryman, Darryl Legg

Individual contributors & Historians:  



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