Long Sutton Civic Society, Lutton Parish Council and St Nicholas Church honour airmen killed 80 years ago in tragic crash
Hundreds paid tribute to six servicemen killed in an airplane crash 80 years ago with a special service and memorial bench.
Long Sutton and District Civic Society, Lutton Parish Council and members of the village’s St Nicholas Church helped to mark this tragic incident at the end of the Second World War.
Just a fortnight before fighting ceased in Europe, a flight of nine US Army Airforce B-17G Flying Fortress bombers was undertaking daytime formation practice over The Wash, when two of the aircraft collided.
A memorial bench with the names of the servicemen has been placed outside the church to honour their sacrifice.
Many attended a recent dedication service at the church, including serving personnel, a representative from USA Airforce Lakenheath and veterans of different services.
South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes was also in attendance and Holbeach Air Cadets lined the path into the church, accompanied by their standard.
The Rev Andrew Hawes led the service and a homage was performed by Matthew Simons.
Anne Grimshaw, a historian and researcher into the crash, gave a talk.
She detailed her discovery on eBay of an old pilot’s flight bag, which belonged to the aircraft’s commander Clyde R Simmons.
Anne has been able to trace his relatives in America.
Harold Payne spoke of seeing the crash as a child and about his work supporting veterans.
Mr Payne showed an American vehicle on the village green and a commissioned painting of the plane and the names of those killed in the crash.
It will be placed in his memorial garden at Fleet Hargate and the civic society would like to thank Mr Payne for his sponsorship in providing the buffet.
The wooden bench is situated outside the church and inscribed with the names of the crew members:
1st Lt. Clyde R. Simmons, aircraft commander
1st Lt Donald L. Williamson, pilot
1st Lt James G. Olsen, co-pilot and observer
2nd Lt Vincent Colletti navigator
2nd LT. Robert P. Bradley, bomb aimer
Sgt John J. Hill, engineer and gunner
Sgt Robert L. West, radio operator and gunner
Sgt Edward G. Geron, tail gunner
