RAF Leeming’s commanding officer, Gp Capt David Arthurton, was among a small crowd who paid their respects to pilots who have come down in Teesdale during an aviation day commemoration.
The event, at the memorial garden in Barnard Castle, on Friday, June 22, was started 22 years ago by Tony Galley and John Yarker and originally took place on the grounds in front of Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution.
The memorial consists of three commemorative stones, a garden and flagpoles.
Mr Galley said: “It commemorates the many aviators who came to grief in Teesdale and the western Pennines while serving their countries. The geographical features of the dale have caught out many fliers, especially in the first half of the 20th century.
In 2015 the land on which the memorial sat at Deerbolt was sold for housing.
“Barnard Castle Town Council stepped in and in that year the memorial, its garden and flag posts were moved here in upper Galgate,” explained Mr Galley.
This year’s service was led by Revd Canon Alec Harding and Revd Darren Moore.
Wreaths were laid by RAF Leeming, the RAF Association, Mr Yarker, Barnard Castle Town Council and Barnard Castle School.
