 |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
This project has been a huge undertaking and one that seemed to get larger as the days became months. It has been an incredible honour to be part of such an important project but it would most certainly not have been possible with out the considerable degree of help and assistance I received. I would like to thank all the following people and contributors for all the help, information, advice and support they have shown me over the past year and a half. There are a great many people who have given their time and information and will be included in this page in due course. I also wish to speak personally to contributors in order to avoid embarrassment before publishing their details. The following people have proved invaluable so far and my wholehearted appreciation goes to them. Mr. Alan Smith. Alan has been the archivist of the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society since the Control Tower museum opened Seven years ago. He has made a lifetime study of both the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm and for the past Twelve years, Martlesham Heath. Over the years he has carefully and painstakingly filed, collated and preserved all the information available to provide the extensive library that exists today. He has worked exceptionally hard to ensure that all the personal memories submitted to the society have been documented and catalogued to enable generations to come the opportunity of learning about the once great airfield. In addition he has compiled an impressive day by day diary of events detailing the entire lifetime of the airfield. He has given freely of his valuable time and much of this site would not have been possible without it. The accuracy and detail of this site is largely thanks to the time he has generously spent editing and checking detail. ---------- Mr Linn Barringer This site was set up primarily to assist the research for this project. The support and feedback is unprecedented and the “economy level” hosting was unable to cope. With no expertise in managing the site it seemed as though it would be closed. I posted a message on the MHAS notice board and within days Linn suggested some options. He has generously and freely offered his time, expertise and even his own web space to ensure this site is able to continue. His community spirit is to be commended. He has patiently tolerated my in capacity to master the site and has steered me at every turn. Quite simply without his intervention this site would no longer exist and for that to him I am exceptionally grateful. ---------- The Martlesham Heath Aviation Society This thriving organisation, of which I am a proud member, is celebrating its Twenty Fifth year. Every Sunday through the Spring and Summer, willing volunteers open the control tower museum which is a incredible third memorial to RAF Martlesham Heath. These volunteers have a variety of experience and even personal memories. Their combined input has proved a powerful tool in establishing this roll of honour. Theirs is a very worthy society for which I would highly commend membership and support. I would like to thank the President, Mr. Gordon Kinsey, the Chairman, Mr. Martyn Cook, the Officers, committee and members for their support so far. ---------- Mr. Paul Firman MBE Although several people were involved, Paul was the inspiration and the primary driving force behind the return to Martlesham Heath of the 356th Fighter Group Book of Remembrance. Paul diarised the events surrounding its return as they happened from start to finish and very kindly gave me free access to his work. The page detailing the book is largely accredited to him. ---------- Mr. Terry Gaskin Terry is a Martlesham Heath based businessman who has devoted part of his Web site to the history of the former airfield. He has also provided much welcomed, non commercial or financial, support to this project understanding its importance both to the present community and to those who have gone before. A short cut to the historical page of his site is included on the the links page. ---------- General contributors Since publication I have received correspondence from several sources offering information, and support. Whilst much of the content has been gathered from official sources nothing can quite compare with personal memories or witness accounts. Their input has been invaluable. Please keep it coming in! ---------- Lastly, and most importantly, my wife, Christie. This project has taken up a great deal of what free time I have had over the past year or so and most wives would find that difficult. However being a Soldiers wife she understood, implicitly, the sheer importance, relevance and gravity of what I was trying to achieve and she threw her time and support into it wholeheartedly. Most importantly she set up and created this web site without which the whole project would have resulted in far more meager results. Through this media those for whom this Roll of Honour bears so much relevance may have access to more information and the satisfaction that none of those lives lost will be forgotten. Many thanks to you all! Rob Drake |
|
|
