Welcome to Downham Market Airfield Cairn Memorial Website
The Downham Market Airfield Cairn memorial is a tribute to the brave servicemen and women who served at RAF Downham Market, Norfolk, England, a pivotal Royal Air Force Bomber Station from July 1942 to September 1945. This memorial aims to inspire pride and a sense of belonging in the community, reminding everyone of their shared history and sacrifice. The memorial, created by Chris Coverdale, seeks to inspire pride and strengthen community bonds. If you're able to donate, it would be much appreciated. You can do this with the GoFundMe page.
The airfield cairn memorial serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those honoured at this memorial, encouraging visitors to reflect, learn more about the history, and appreciate that they gave their tomorrow for our freedom today.
On 7 July 2026, the Downham Market Airfield Cairn Memorial was blessed in a ceremony by R.A.F. Marham, bringing the community together and fostering a collective sense of reverence, pride, and remembrance.
The main plaques are situated on the top of the Downham Market Airfield Cairn memorial. In three separate plaques, it is first represented with the RAF eagle, with the Crest Motto in Latin (Per ardua ad astra) and in English, "Through adversity to the stars". The Middle Plaque is a tribute to all who served at the former RAF Downham Market from 1942 to 1945. To the left, in column format at the top left, No. 3 Group Crest, followed by No. 218 Gold Coast Squadron Crest, No. 623 Squadron, which has no Crest as this squadron was not formed long enough, and next is No. 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron—all of those squadrons operated with Stirling Bombers. The central part of this Plaque gives the Airfield Map Layout, showing the location of the airfield Cairn memorial at the start of the main runway. Depending on the wind direction, the squadron's aircraft would take off on bombing operations from either end, as it was the longest of the three concrete runways at 2000 yards, allowing the bombers to be fully fuelled (Full Tanks) and bombed up to capacity. On the right side of the centre cairn plaque are the No. 8 Group Pathfinder Force crest, the No. 635 Squadron crest, the No. 571 Squadron crest (which did not receive a squadron crest), and the No. 608 (North Riding) Squadron crest. All three Squadrons were formed at RAF Downham Market under the direction of Air Vice Marshal Donald Bennett, C-in-C of No. 8 Group PFF. 635 Squadron with Lancasters and 57 & 608 with Mosquito bombers (Light Night Striking Force). The Third Plaque at the bottom celebrates and honours the amazing Leadership of all Station Commanders, along with the Squadron Commander of the named squadron above, while at RAF Downham Market, codenamed "Off-Strike".
Airfield memorial: A tribute to honour Victoria Cross Pilot - Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron VC DFM. RAF VR.
Airfield memorial: A tribute to honour Victoria Cross Pilot - Squadron Leader VC. DFC. RAF VR.
Eight Stainless Steel lasered plaques, each recording 20 aircrews in date order as Missing in Action, serve as a meaningful tribute, fostering respect and appreciation for their sacrifice. Explaining their significance helps readers understand why these memorials are vital to the community and veterans.
It took 16 months to compile the losses from RAF Downham Market from July 1942 to September 1945. Every effort has been made to locate Service personnel information via RAF Held Records and the location of Birth Certification, either via Ancestry.com or other means (Family records, etc.), to demonstrate our commitment to accuracy and respect for their memory.
Chris Coverdale completed the 8 Group Pathfinder data, and Mr Steve Smith completed the No.3 Group data. Both undertakings required significant time and effort, and we both understood the importance of getting this right. This dedication aims to inspire confidence and appreciation in our audience for the meticulous work involved.
A point of personal interest that both of us felt in putting this research together was indeed the young age of so many and the effects it had on the airmen to be taken as prisoners of war, and for many, only to find out that all of their crew were dead. The unbelievable sense of loss felt by those put in that position, trying to come to terms with knowing they were the sole survivor, was heartbreaking and would be forevermore throughout their life.
It's important to understand the abbreviation of outcome for each airman: KIA is Killed in Action. PoW is Prisoner of War, EvD is Evaded capture, and Safe reflects having just survived a crash landing or an incident, in reference to a training sortie. Each Aircrew is Numbered 1 to 146. (Aircrews 1 to 94 are all Stirling Aircrews and 95 to 146 Lancaster & Mosquito Aircrews).
The Poem on the 8th losses plaque "Bomber Boys" was written and produced by Chris Coverdale and is copyrighted
BLESSING CEREMONY PHOTOS 7TH JULY 2026
A massive, heartfelt thank you to Group Captain Leonie Boyd and the RAF Marham service personnel, who all made the blessing service for the airfield cairn memorial so amazing. "Now, at last, the Bomber Boys can finally rest in peace".
Commander. RAF Marham. Group Captain Leonie Boyd. OBE. ADC. MENG(HONS) MDA. CENG. MRAES. RAF who took command of RAF Marham on 27 September 2024
F-35 B- Lighting Jets, opening Blessing Service Flyby
Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II is the result of decades of development, starting with the US Navy's 1983 Advanced Tactical Aircraft (ATA) program to replace the A-6 Intruder and DARPA's Advanced Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing (ASTOVL) project, aimed at creating a supersonic successor to the Harrier. The ASTOVL and ATA programs evolved, merging into the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program by 1996.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin were chosen to produce demonstrators for a competitive fly-off. In 2001, Lockheed Martin won the contract with its X-35, which became the F-35 Lightning II. The UK joined as a key partner, selecting the F-35B STOVL variant for its Harrier replacement and its Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
The UK received its first F-35B in 2012 and made RAF Marham the primary base for the aircraft. Squadron Leader Steve Long became the first British pilot to fly an F-35 on 26 January 2010, and in July 2012, the government announced its decision to purchase an initial batch of 48 aircraft. The first of these was delivered on 19 July 2012, for trials work, a task 17 (Reserve) Squadron assumed in 2014.
The first operational squadron, 617 Sqn, arrived in 2018. US Marine Corps F-35Bs joined UK jets for training ahead of HMS Queen Elizabeth's first operational cruise in 2021, marking the start of joint UK-US carrier operations.
Two F-35B Lightning jets from 617 Squadron performed a flyby over the memorial, emphasising the ongoing connection and pride in our history. They continued along the former location of the Main Runway, now a wheat field. The Memorial, situated on the freehold of the Main runway, marks the day, 84 years ago, when four-engine Stirling bombers of No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron of No. 3 Group Bomber Command arrived at the airfield, having been transferred from RAF Marham, on 7 July 1942.
Memorial Creator Chris Coverdale going over the order of service with The Reverend (Flt Lt) Jeanine Bossy (Chaplain / RAF Marham.
Group Captain Jim Calvert OBE. MA. RAF Marham discusses the order of Service with The Reverend (Flt Lt) Jeanine Bossy (Chaplain / RAF Marham). Across from them is Padre Craig Bentley, Chaplain, RAF Marham.
Squadron Commander of the Lightning Air Wing: Group Captain Jim Calvert OBE. MA. RAF Marham starts the proceedings with an amazing introduction, the memorial dedication.
Station Commander. RAF Marham. Group Captain Leonie Boyd. OBE. ADC. MENG(HONS) MDA. CENG. MRAES. RAF attended the airfield Cairn memorial blessing service at former RAF Downham Market on 7 July 2026.
A Service of Blessing and Dedication
"The above artwork print is copyrighted to Mr Stephen C. Smith. No reproduction or use of this image, please, without the full consent of the owner in writing."
The Illustration on the front page depicts a trio of Stirling aircraft flying low over RAF Downham Market. "The aircraft on the left is N3721 HA-P-Peter, the usual 'Kite' of Sgt. Ted Gough and crew. N3721 went on to fly 62 operations, all with No. 218(Gold Coast) Squadron."
Thank you to Steve Smith for allowing the use of the artwork.
RAF Memorial Downham Market
Preliminaries by Station Warrant Officer Chris Brewer, including a Flypast by two F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter aircraft from RAF Marham.
INTRODUCTION:
Group Captain Jim Calvert OBE. MA. RAF Marham.
Words of Welcome: Padre. Jeanine Bossy - Chaplain for RAF Marham.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and also with you.
Let us pray:
Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all people and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Reading: Padre. Jeanine Bossy - Chaplain for RAF Marham.
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Amen
Reflection: Jeanine Bossy - Chaplain for RAF Marham.
Poem: Bomber Boys, composed and read by memorial creator Chris Coverdale
From this runway they gathered, Stirlings, Lancasters, and Mosquitoes in all kinds of weather.
With a warrior's spirit into battle they did fly, riding the icy moonlit sky, to fight the foe or to bravely die.
Those boys, those brave bomber boys, with Irvin jackets, silk scarfs, and lucky charms, donned in fleece-lined boots and flying suits.
They didn't sigh; they knew the odds, operation briefed, their duty was clear, fighting for freedom was their belief.
Unthinkable things they went through, now forgotten to the majority of you.
Now remembered here together for all to see, forevermore eternally.
Remember Why We Remember.
'LEST WE FORGET.'
On reflection of the Bomber Boys Poem, two photographs of aircrew No. 141 listed on the Downham Market Airfield memorial plaque, No. 8: Skipper Flight Sergeant Thomas Kelly RAFVR, with his crew. A picture is worth a thousand words: Those Boy Bombers are captured in two rare candid photos, smiling, laughing, and joking with one another before they boarded Lancaster ND735. F2-P-Peter. Their Average age was 19 to 24 years. The first photograph shows the crew arriving at the dispersal point to embark on their 1st Pathfinder operation with 635 Squadron. Detailed as a supporter bomber aircrew with the squadron on Operation Thunderclap 'Chemnitz ', Germany, 5/6th March 1945. The second photo shows the Kelly aircrew tied after the long flight to Eastern Germany, a sortie which took them on an 8-hour return trip. Moreover, they had completed their 1st operation, so there was room for them to be upbeat, as the second photo shows. Sadly, this would be short-lived; on 7 March 1944, Skipper Kelly got the nod from his Flight Commander, Squadron Leader Artie Ashworth, for Operation No. 2; the Marshalling yards at Dessau required attention. Bomber Command detailed 526 aircraft from Groups 1, 4 and 6, with 8 Group conducting the raid. 635 Squadron would take on the role of Master Bomber and Deputy Master Bomber with four support bombers, two each to support both the master and deputy; the squadron also assigned two Blind Markers and two Blind Sky Markers, and one visual centre aircraft. En route, the Luftwaffe had guessed right and sent their night fighters up as the bomber crossed the enemy coastline; Flak was very active over the target area. After the debriefing of the 635 Squadron aircrew, 10 of the 11 aircrews had returned. Flight Leader Squadron Leader Artie Ashworth blamed himself, according to his Flight Engineer F/Lt. Ken Calton: " We had seen the attack by the night fighter on ND735, and watched them go down, hoping to see some chutes, then the same night fighter attacked our aircraft. Artie, Squadron Leader Ashworth, went straight into evasive manoeuvres and corkscrewed the aircraft, which worked. Back at base, I could tell Artie wasn't best pleased and had words with the C.O., Wing Commander Tubby Baker. I knew Artie blamed himself for selecting the Kelly Crew for the Dessau Op. Artie mentioned that Thomas Kelly and his crew had so much potential, and took several chaps from the flight to his favourite local pub, known as the Ship Inn, Brandon Creek, Southey, to celebrate the Kelly & crew. It was his way of dealing with the loss. I didn't go as I was teetotal. In the next Ops Briefing, Squadron Commander, W/Cdr. Tubby Baker paid his respects to Kelly and his crew and hoped for good news from the Red Cross about their possible survival. After a few weeks, there was no news regarding Tom Kelly and his crew".
Reports state that Luftwaffe pilot Major Paul-Hubert Rauh of Stab II/ NJG 4 claimed he shot down Lancaster ND735. F2-P-Peter.
BLESSING SERVICE CONTINUED
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
We will remember them
The two-minute silence is observed
When you go home, tell them of us and say for their tomorrow, we gave out today.
Prayers of Dedication and Blessing
+The memorial is sprinkled with Holy Water
Almighty God, You promise that not a moment of our lives is lost to You; that You see us at every turn; in sorrow and in joy, in life and in death; that forever we are held within Your eternal memory as are those who are commemorated here.
Bless, we pray, this our memorial for those who fought and died for our freedom, that we might live in safety and in peace.
May those who pass by pause to remember those they never knew, who gave everything for them.
And let them be thankful.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
We join all our prayers together in the words of the Lord's Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Padre Craig Bentley, Chaplain RAF Marham
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.
Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
We Will.
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
We Will.
Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
We Will.
Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love; may we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people, and live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen redeemer.
Amen
God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest, to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, unity, peace and concord, and to us and all God's servants, life everlasting; + and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
We are delighted to hold this service today, 7 July 2026, the 84th Anniversary of the opening of RAF Downham Market. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron left RAF Marham on 6 July 1942, and RAF Downham Market was declared operational on 7 July 1942.
We acknowledge with gratitude the work of Chris Coverdale and his generous Material Sponsors and friends of the memorial project in establishing this memorial at Downham Market.
We are Grateful for the generous support of Station Commander Group Captain Leonie Boyd ADC. OBE. Meng (Hons) MDA CEng. MrAeS.
Group Captain Jim Calvert OBE. MA. RAF Marham.
RAF, Project Manager - Flying Officer Sean Langton-Jones and personnel from RAF Marham.
Padre. Jeanine Bossy - Chaplain for RAF Marham.
Padre Craig Bentley, Chaplain RAF Marham.
Station Warrant Officer Chris Brewer
Mayor of Downham Market Councillor Barrie Wiles
Deputy Mayor of Downham Market Councillor Chris Sims
Phil Jarvis, Director, Albanwise Ltd (Land Owner)
