Raynhams and HelhoughtonMemories
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Plane crash at West Raynham in September 1957
In the early hours of 20th September 1957 a B45 of the 84th Bombardment Squadron/47th Bomb Wing (4(0)7083) (similar to the one pictured opposite), took off from RAF Sculthorpe with its three-man crew. Shortly after take off the aircraft developed a serious fault and came down in Langton Green Wood, close to the road between Helhoughton and Weasenham and within sight of RAF West Raynham's air traffic control tower. Tragically, the crash resulted in the loss of all crew members and wreckage was scattered over a wide area. The aircraft was apparently on fire before coming down. The crash site was visited the next day by Lord Townshend (on whose land the incident happened) and the American investigation team, who erected a marquee on the site. Those on board who tragically lost their lives were: Major Torino-y-Disalvo, 1st Lt. Gustave E Budruweit and 1st Lt. Floyd E Martin. Because the gunnery system on this aircraft was inoperative, the life of the fourth crew member, who wasn’t on board at the time, was spared. There were no casualties on the ground.
Information courtesy of Jim Baldwin FHS/FHG |
Memories of the event
Brenda Custance
January 2014 In 1957/58 we lived in the married quarters at RAF West Raynham, which I believe is now known as West Raynham Park. While we lived there, in the summer of 1957, my mother was wakened in the night by the horrendous noise of a plane flying so low over the house she was sure it would take the chimney with it. She got out of bed and looked out of the window just in time to see it crash some distance away just the other side of the runway and burst into flames. My father rushed to attend the crash scene along with most of the other officers, but sadly there was nothing they could do for the crew of the USAF plane. I was 10½ at the time and missed out on the excitement 'cos I was a weekly boarder in Swaffham. My two kid sisters slept through it but my mother still can hear the roar of the bomber as it went over our roof almost close enough to touch and the noise of it hitting the ground while she watched in horror. Only moments before the accident the officer in charge had ended his duty and the last thing he did was turn off the runway lights, not knowing there was a stricken aircraft heading his way. He was the first one on the scene and actually tried to enter the burning plane to see if there was anyone left arrive to rescue, for which he got a very glowing personal letter from the US General - personally, I think he should also have got some sort of bravery award! A huge fire tender arrived, battering its way though anything in its path, and when the driver got out it was none other than the RAF Group Captain, complete with about 6" of pyjamas showing beneath his trouser legs! We lived in the first house in what is now Atcherley Square as my dad was the Wing Commander in charge of Signals, so Mum had a grandstand view from the bedroom window. |
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WW2 bomb fell at East Raynham in 1941
I was four years old in 1941 and lived at the Lodge Gates, East Raynham, just past St Mary's Church on the Raynham Estate. I remember a bomb falling at the back of the church, possibly in May 1941 – just 100 yards away from the house. There was no warning, so the family didn't have time to go to the Anderson Shelter which was at the top of the garden.The blast broke all the windows in the house, which were the diamond leaded type. My mother was really pleased that they had to be replaced as she didn't like the leaded ones!
No one was hurt by the bomb. I believe the plane was later shot down by a Spitfire at Brancaster. In the same raid two British Army soldiers were killed at Foxcover (the “pill box” on the Raynham Road), where they were working the searchlight. David Neave, Pudding Norton. November 2012 |
Fire at Kent Wing, Raynham Hall 1973/4
When I left the RAF I worked with Reg Medlar at Hall Garage, East Raynham. We lived in Flat 5, Kent Wing at Raynham Hall.
One night something woke me up, and as I sat up in bed I put my head into a layer of smoke.
I went onto the landing and heard a crackling noise and smelt burning. I went back into the flat and woke my wife and children and got them downstairs and out of the building. An Irish chap called Paddy, who worked at Fisons and lived on the floor below, had called the fire brigade.
Lord Raynham's great aunt, Miss Molly Darlow, used to go to bed by the light of a candle, as she had done all her life. She had set fire to her bedding.
We got her out and I lent her my zip-up slippers as she was barefoot! I tried to wake the two young female teachers who lived on the floor below, but couldn't raise them. I shoulder-charged the door and woke them telling them to "get out quick". There was an elderly disabled lady on the ground floor, Mrs Griffin, who only had one leg. We left her in her flat with the window open and everyone talked to her, as the fire was on the floor above. I went back and got my sheepskin, as it was a frosty night, then picked up a fire extinguisher and sprayed the flames. Eventually the fire brigade arrived, having had to come the long way round by the church as the main gates were shut at night. The fire was contained within the old lady's flat, and it was lucky it didn't spread to the rest of the building. All the flats had to be decorated due to smoke damage. My daughter, now aged 42 years, still remembers that "the firemen wouldn't let me go back for my dolly"
Bob Maple, Fakenham
August 2011
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You can tell us about your memories by using the ‘contact us' form. Simply type in your story and click 'send’.
© 2011 Fakenham & District Community Archive.
Created in-house by Fakenham & District Community Archive
Created in-house by Fakenham & District Community Archive