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Location
Hermitage Coach House, St Catherine's Down, Whitwell, Isle of Wight, PO38 2PD. See map on www.streetmap.co.uk National Inventory of War Memorials Record Link : NIWM Reference 20851 Description The Memorial commemorates 3 RAF aircrew who died when their aircraft, an Avro Anson of 48 Sqn. crashed on 6th January, 1940. It was commissioned by Mr A F Maitland, the owner of Hermitage House, near the spot where the aircraft crashed. It is an urn (which now appears to be missing) mounted on a portland stone pedestal, bearing a metal plaque (made from the remains of the aircraft). The dedication ceremony was held on 24th July 1949, by Rev C Sinclair (rector of Chale), and the memorial was unveiled by Mr M Ritter, the father of the only survivor of the crash, Flt-Sergt Ritter Note : the Memorial is in the garden of the Hermitage Coach House, now a private house, which is now unconnected with the Hermitage Country Hotel (formerly Hermitage House) |
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Memorial
click on images for larger version 
An Avro Anson similar to the one which crashed |
Inscription
IN MEMORY OF FLYING OFFICER HUMPHREY B M PEARSON SERGEANT FOLLETT MATTINSON PENNELL AIRCRAFTMAN 1ST CLASS FRANCIS HERBERT ROOK WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY WHEN THEIR AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON THIS SPOT ON JANUARY 6TH 1940 "BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE" REVELATION 2:10 Further Information All three men are buried at West Thorney (St Nicholas) Churchyard.
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Page updated 17th May 2010 (added recent photos)