Inscription
649028 SERGEANT
R G MEW
AIR GUNNER
ROYAL AIR FORCE
20TH MAY 1941 AGE 20
+
AT THE GOING DOWN
OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER YOU
Further Information
Copyright © Isle of Wight County Press
WARTIME TRAGEDY RECALLED
WHEN Newport widow Mary Clarke received a photograph of her brother during the Second World War she never imagined that his message, 'Remember Me', would come to have such poignant significance.
Air gunner Ronald Mew was one of the six crew members killed when Wellington II W 5448 218 crashed at Hilgay, Norfolk, on May 18, 1941.
His 85-year-old sister will be among those attending a memorial service in the village on Saturday, May 18.
Mrs Clarke, of Whitepit Lane, Newport, will travel from the Island with her two children, Christopher and Valerie, to the ceremony in Hilgay.
Her sister, Marjorie Mitchell, who lives in Ohio, USA, will be in attendance with her sons, William and Kevin, along with Eric Mew, son of her late brother Leslie.
Seven aircraft crashed at Hilgay during the conflict, and the Rev David Evans will read out a total of 14 names at the service.
These were members of Hurricane and Master aircraft from RAF Sutton Bridge, a Flying Fortress from RAF Deopham Green and the Wellington, from RAF Marham.
The names are to be inscribed on a plaque next to the village war memorial at 3pm, the 61st anniversary of the air crash.
Mrs Clarke first became aware of the event after reading a letter from Michael Forster, honorary secretary of the RAF Association, in the County Press.
Her brother was just 20 years old when he was killed and he is buried in St Peter's New Churchyard, Shorwell.
14 May 2002
Copyright © Isle of Wight County Press
Son of Sidney James Mew, and of Elsie Mary Mew, of Shorwell.
CWGC record ...
Additional information and photo of Hilgay memorial from John Bloodworth
