Greetings Fellow Swordfish

 On the invitation of Doug Sample and the small group of organizers for the annual East Moor Remembrance Ceremony, I attended this year’s memorial event.  As is the custom, the Ceremony was held on the UK Bank Holiday weekend to facilitate those who needed to travel to the site -- the Pound at Sutton-on-the-Forest located approximately 10 km north of the City Centre of York. 

This annual Ceremony is conducted to remember those who flew on Canadian Squadrons from the East Moor airfield – 415, 429 & 432 Squadrons.  Some years ago, around 1990, a cairn was acquired to mark the fact that these three Squadrons had flown from East Moor, an airfield in the backyard of Sutton-on-the-Forest.  The Act of Remembrance is conducted around the Cairn located in the Pound and a Meet and Greet follows in the village hall.    Of course “O Canada” and ”God Save The Queen” are sung, the local Minister says a few words and one or two of the assembled participants say a few short words.  Participants then proceed to the village hall for refreshments and reminiscing.

 I first attended this Ceremony in 1998 with one of 415 crews.  As I remember most of the assembled participants were either Vets or relatives of Vets, most of who were from the UK.  There were very few towns folk and even fewer Canadians present.  The organizers were from the same group who had acquired the Cairn and of course they were getting on in years.  I returned in 2000 with another 415 crew and the CO and some members of 429 Squadron.  At the Ceremony there were a lot fewer participants and it was obvious that it would be difficult to sustain this remembrance activity unless something changed in the way it was planned and executed.  Indeed the organizers decided it would be the last planned event.  Fortunately a number of villagers, led by the reeve, decided to take on the main task of organizing the afternoon’s event and since 2000 the number of participants has been gradually increasing.  I noted both in 2006, but even more so this year, that there were quite a few villagers in the crowd and most importantly a lot more youngsters.  Of course there were fewer Vets; however there were two WW2 Swordfish members - Doug Sample and John Rutherford Halpin.

 There was also time to visit the town cemetery where there are three commonwealth graves all of which are Canadian (insert photo 4).  The graves are those of F/Sgt Navigator/Bomber Ernest Maxwell Bell, 429 Squadron (22); Sgt Pilot John Hannah Black, 429 Squadron (20) and F/Sgt Air Gunner Robert Ernest Clark, Squadron not identified (21).  They are remembered.  As chance would have it, I had a nice discussion with a lady in her 80’s who had known both Bell and Black and in fact was dating one of them at the time of their crash.  There is always something new to hear and learn at one of these events.

 I plan to attend next year’s event and will make sure the CO 429 is fully apprised of the place and time.  Perhaps there are one, two or more Swordfish out there who will also make the trek – I sure hope so!

 Ad Metam
Chris Henneberry

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