During the Second World War, Yorkshire was home to around 40 airfields, many in the flat areas of the Vale of York. Thousands of airmen died flying from the Yorkshire airfields, many lost on training flights, because of weather conditions or aircraft malfunction. In recent decades memorials have been placed at some of these crash sites, and at former airfields.
The women of the WAAF, Yorkshire memorial
2011
This memorial at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington is dedicated to ‘Members of the Women’s Auxilliary Air Force who died in service in Yorkshire during WWII.’ It lists … More …
East Moor airfield
2010
The control tower is usually the most obvious building on these old airfields, but East Moor’s has been demolished. Peripheral airfield buildings remain, some hidden in the trees, some maintained and still used by local farmers and businesses. Many of the runways have been removed, but from the road skirting the southern part of the airfield this round area of hardstanding is still obvious, with an old piece of farm machinery left where the bombers once stood.
More …Riccall airfield memorial, Skipwith Common
September 2010
This memorial is a recent addition, dedicated in May 2010. Like the earlier memorials at Tholthorpe, East Moor, Wombleton and … More …
Wombleton airfield memorial
September 2010
Taking the road north from the village of Nunnington, you might notice an old control tower in the flat lands on your left as you get close to Wombleton. Sections of old runway are also visible. … More …
Tholthorpe airfield memorial
East Moor airfield memorial
September 2010
At Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, a memorial on the village green remembers a 1944 crash at nearby Studforth Hill. The crew, of 432 squadron, were based at East Moor airfield, here at Sutton-on-the-Forest, north of York – … More …