The East Moor Family Memorial Service

The village of Sutton-on-the-Forest has just experienced the most amazing and delightful community activity.During WW2 East Moor airfield was situated on the edge of the village from which many, largely Canadian, aircrew flew never to return. In 1990 the Canadian veterans built a memorial in the village where they attend for a Memorial Service every year.Last weekend some 19 serving Canadian aircrew flew in from Canada and Germany specifically to attend this service at the Sundial Memorial. Whilst here they visited Sutton Park and also talked to the children at the Primary School. In a most entertaining session lasting an hour the pupils bombarded the senior officers with questions ranging from "What are your medals for?" to "Did you kill anyone?”.On the following day over 100 people attended the Memorial Service at the Sundial Memorial  followed by a reception in the Grey Village Hall, all of which is to commemorate the 640 (largely Canadian aircrew) who flew out of this village never to return. This reception was organised by the ladies of the Yorkshire Countrywomen`s Association and the village hall was packed out. The ceremony was also attended by contingents from RAF Leeming and Easingwold Air Training Corps, together with standards paraded by the Royal Air Force Association and the Royal British Legion.The East Moor Family wreath was laid by ATC Cadet Tom Jefferies the grandson of Flight Engineer John Banks who flew many missions from East Moor, and a bouquet of white roses was laid by pupils from the village school. “The men and women of East Moor fought long and bravely and for many the base was the last place upon which they saw the sun rise or set, or felt mother earth under their feet”.The village is very proud to be associated with this international activity.Mike RigbyChairman, Sutton-on-the-Forest Parish Council


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