Celebration of airfields war contribution
By James Tout
Wartime memories of Sawbridgeworth's proud RAF history will be evoked
at events to commemorate the town's airbase, now all but vanished.
During the Second World War, Sawbridgeworth airfield - situated
a mile north west of the town - was used by RAF 2 Squadron and housed a community of several thousand. Today only a few structures
remain.
Michael Dent, a member of the Hertfordshire Airfields Memorial
Group and organiser said plans for a memorial at Sawbridgeworth were following a similar venture at Hunsdon last year. "These
airfields were only classified as temporary, but the role they played was so important and was about time they and the people
who worked on them recieved the recognition they deserved" he said.
"Many people in Sawbridgeworth aren't aware there was an airfield
within walking distance of the town, so hopefully this will bring to their minds how close it was and they will want to know
more".
A special fundraising talk from Professor Michael Foot is
being held at the Memorial Hall in the Forebury on March 11. It will detail the involvement of the secret services at the
airfield.
The unveiling and dedication of the brick built memorial,
which will also feature a propeller from a Mustang aircraft, will take place on May 14. Mr Dent said he hoped 20 or so veterans
would attend as well as modern day members of 2 Squadron.
A fly past of vintage and modern warplanes is also expected.
