www.watton-norfolk.org.uk

Ten years ago the propeller from a Bristol Blenheim was dedicated as a memorial to the airmen from the
United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Airforces who died in the service of this country.
This year was the last reunion of the men from Watton and Bodney.

The picture of the Blenheim was signed at the 1990 reunion and dedication, by Oliver Adcock, Town Mayor.
Memorial Committee President Air Commodore Jack Millar and Vice Presidents Lady Patricia Williams,
Group Captain Bill Hedges, Mr Bob Buscall and  Air Commodore Tim Elworthy, son of  Lord Sam Elworthy
who was in charge of 82 Squadron in Watton during the war. We also have from the committee, Air Vice Marshall John Beddoes,
Julian Horn, Paul Lincoln and Richard Crabtree. Also signing was Ole Ronnest who arranged for the propeller, used for the
memorial, to come home to Watton. In 1990, the small group charged with organising a suitable memorial to commemorate
the lives of the brave airmen who went to war from Watton and Bodney, were privileged to hear from and finally meet
Ole Ronnest from Denmark who arranged for us to have the propeller.

He wrote the a story about the propeller which was dedicated  1990 reunion.

The dedication ceremony was attended by American Veterans, who held a re-dedication of their memorial, and by a group of
Twinners from Weeze. A large number of people from our community came on the day and saw the first of the 'Blenheim Trophies'
presented to youngsters from the schools in Watton and Carbrooke. The first winners were Bobbie Bell from Wayland,
Bethany Bowen from Watton Juniors, Nell Williams from Westfield and Gemma Thurston from Carbrooke.

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The reunion on the 13th August 2000 was the last and it was very special. Julian Horn had arranged sponsorship to enable
the last flying Blenheim to land at 12.23 hrs. at RAF Watton on the Stanta Airfield.
The plane was painted in the colours of the 82 Squadron from RAF Watton and the markings of R3821 UX-N.
The time was when a plane with the same numbers was shot down in Aalborg, 60 years ago to the day.

Blenheim Trophies were presented and this year the recipients were:
Sarah Pocklington - Wayland Community High School      Charlene Wordingham - Watton Juniors
Harry Brown - Westfield      Charlotte Barker - Carbrooke
In future years we will continue with the presentations to be possibly at the recipients schools.

During the very moving ceremony Ole Ronnest read his propeller story and Julian Horn was presented with the original Blenheim Clock.