415 Squadron Association
2023 EAST MOOR MEMORIAL
The quick detour to Tholthorpe proved not to disappoint. The small memorial in the centre of the village pays tribute of RCAF Sqns 420, 425, 431 and 434 Sqns. A small plaque under a Maple tree states “In Memory of a father never known, F/Sgt Willaim Brown Gracie of Peterborough, Ontario, killed in action 5 Aug 1944. A beautiful tribute to the many Canadians that never returned home.
Following the service, people gathered across the road from the monument at the Grey Village Hall for afternoon tea. Lead piper Jim Sharpe offered to take the group to the nearby town of Brafferton to visit a memorial of a crash site of a Halifax Bomber. Pipers played a few tunes while the group reflected on the historical importance of the site. The group met with Parish Council member Roger Clements and photographer Simon Penson. Simon recommended visiting the nearby town of Tholthorpe where a Canadian monument exists and later provided pictures that he took during the visit to Brafferton.
To state that this year's memorial was touching would be an understatement. We once again must send our gratitude to the Parish members of Sutton-on-the-Forest, veterans and citizens who choose not to forget the sacrifices made by so many RCAF and Allied personnel. We would like to send our special gratitude once again to Flt Lt Alan Dolding who after many years of facilitating this memorial, may soon move into retirement and onto the next chapter of life. Al, the RCAF Sqn’s and our associate members are truly thankful for your role over the last many years.
It is truly apparent that RCAF history throughout small villages in Yorkshire is heartly alive and local citizens remain committed to remembering the sacrifices made by so many. Their commitment to our history should be commended. Ad Metam.
The afternoon consisted of lunch at Miss Daisy’s Tea Room in Sutton-on-the-Forest before the memorial service. At the memorial, several veterans, council members and citizens attended; surrounding the small sundial monument that serves as a tribute to 415, 429 and 432 Sqns. An address was given by Maj MacSween to commence the service while prayers, the act of remembrance, the last post, reveille, and laying of wreaths and flowers followed. Closing remarks were given by Mr. Robert Sheffield before the playing of both national anthems.
RCAF monument Tholthorpe, Yorkshire honouring 420, 425, 431 and 434 Sqns
The playing of both National Anthems
The Golden Fleece, York. Thought to be haunted by a Canadian Airman who died in the former hotel during the Second World War.
RCAF Memorabilia at the local pub in Thortholpe, Yorkshire
Names of nearly 600 Allies engraved in the glass at Betty’s Tea Room
Friday, 12 May consisted of a tour and lunch at the large historic house in Sutton Park. This magnificent house served as an officer’s mess and residence for Canadian Aircrew that operated from East Moor. The home is currently owned by the Sheffield family and Mr. Robert Sheffield graciously hosted the group for a tour and deliciously prepared lunch. Following lunch, the group proceeded to Sutton-on-the-Forest elementary school where they interacted with the children and discussed the reason for our visit. We presented them some souvenirs and then proceeded to the former RAF East Moor airfield, which still has a few buildings and runway from its former glory.
While at Tholthorpe, a local resident recommended visiting a local pub where photos and memorabilia of the RCAF Sqns still hung on the walls. He also stated that the control tower of the former RAF Tholthorpe airfield was intact and converted into a family home. The group felt like they were following a bouncing ball through history and decided it was a fitting to make a surprise (unannounced) visit to the former control tower. Driving up to the residence, the group were met by current owners Paul and Rosy Walker who graciously opened their family home and pointed out historical features of the former airfield from the unobstructed view. A photo album displayed pictures of the wartime era while a plaque on the outside of the home, set between red maples displays honour to those RCAF Sqns who served there during the war.
Surprise Visit to the former control tower (now family home) for RAF Tholthorpe
LCol LeBlanc’s selfie stick captured the group and homeowners
The group with host Flt Lt Alan Dolding
The following day commenced with some members visiting Betty’s Team Room in York. Betty’s Tea Room was formally known as Betty’s Bar and was a popular place for socializing during the Second World War. Over 600 airmen engraved their names in mirrors in the establishment, many never returned after being killed on missions. The Tea Room remains a popular establishment for locals and retains its historical importance to the Second World War.
To end this first day, the group proceeded to discuss the day's activities at a local establishment in York, named the Golden Fleece. Upon entry, it was observed that the establishment was marked as the most haunted pub in York and upon further investigation, it was discovered that a Canadian Airmen died in the former hotel and was thought to take up residence at the hotel as a non- paying guest. He is still thought to haunt the building. We then met a local resident who shared that he was a former RAF pilot before a lengthy career in commercial aviation. As the discussion continued, we discovered a mutual colleague who was in fact our host for the memorial service, Flt Lt Alan Dolding.
Was it pure coincidence that we entered this specific establishment or was it fate? And to learn of the pub’s various connections to the RCAF? It peeked our interest and resulted in a lengthy and healthy debate!
The final day before returning home consisted of attending a church service at All Hallows Church in Sutton-on-the-Forest. All Hallows church served the RAF and RCAF of East Moor and the ceiling was painted to commemorate the RAF and RCAF members who gave their lives while based from East Moor. LCol LeBlanc and Cpl Lavoie conducted readings during the service.
Halifax NA612 crash site monument, Brafferton, Yorkshire. Photo Simon Penson
Members at Harrogate Allied War Graves (Stonefall Cemetary)
Pipers play and reflect at the crash site and monument of Halifax Bomber NA612 at Brafferton, Yorkshire. Six RCAF mbrs and one RAF mbr were killed. Photo Simon Penson
Major MacSween and Sgt Crosby reflect on the Halifax crew members killed on 21 August 1944
Visit to the local primary school in Sutton-on-the-Forest
Afternoon tea at the Grey Village Hall, Sutton-on-the-Forest
Rev Stephen Whiting addresses the crowd and asks for a round of applause for service members and veterans
Wreaths and flowers presented during the ceremony
A few remaining structures from the former RAF Station East Moor
The laying of wreaths and flowers during the ceremony
The base of a large Maple Tree, A tribute to F/Sgt Gracie, 425 Sqn
East Moor Memorial is an annual event that honours the veterans of 415, 429 and 432 Sqns who served at Royal Air Force (RAF) Station East Moor, Yorkshire, England. The memorial takes place in Sutton-on-the-Forest, a small village adjacent to the former airfield that once was the home to nearly 1800 RCAF and RAF personnel.
On Saturday, the 13th of May 2023, 415 and 429 Sqns came together once again to commemorate their Sqns’ contribution to Bomber Command and the allied effort of the Second World War. This years’ service followed the weekend after His Majesty, King Charles III coronation, on a warm sunny day in England.
Current members of 415 Sqn, Maj Mike MacSween and Sgt Nathan Crosby and 429 Sqn, Sgt Reese Paton and Cpl Mathieu Lavoie met at London Heathrow and drove north to York, England where they met up with former CO 415 Sqn, LCol Patrick LeBlanc and former 415 Sqn SWO, MWO Jason Patterson. Both former members took the opportunity to conduct personal travel to attend this years’ service.
Events kicked off on the 11th of May, meeting with host Flt Lt Alan Dolding and a lunch visit to RAF Leeming. The group visited with Station Commander, Group Captain Gareth Prendergast and conducted a tour of the base which 429 Sqn occupied after East Moor. The group then travelled to the Commonwealth War Grave site in Harrogate (Stonefall Cemetery) where 988 Second World War airmen are buried. This beautiful site is the resting place of over 600 Canadians; including members of both 415 and 429 Sqns. The visit became a highly emotional reflection of the sacrifices made by so many young aviators and the site’s beauty is a stunning tribute to those who lie at rest. The visit to Stonefall was recommended by 415 Association President Chris Henneberry who spoke of a collision of two Halifax Bombers on 21 August 1944. The crash took the lives of twelve aircrew and two ground crew, including the pilot and CO 415 Sqn W/C John Gordon McNeill, DFC. The other aircraft was flown by S/Ldr Brian Edmund Wilmot, DFC and Bar who sadly was killed before he was able to receive a Bar to his DFC. After a period of searching, we were able to locate the victims of this crash and pay our appropriate respects.
The Historic Estate in Sutton Park, served as an Officer’s Mess and residence, with Mr. Robert Sheffield