The Isle of Wight honours young pilots killed 80 years ago

Six young pilots who died when their Hawker Typhoon planes crashed into the sea off the Isle of Wight in June 1944 have been honoured at a service of remembrance at Parkhurst Military Cemetery. Veterans from the Island branch of the Parachute Regimental Association lowered their standard as a mark of respect for the young airmen, then bugler Bob Cole played the Last Post.

Two gravestones at Parkhurst recognise the bravery of 22-year-old Pilot Officer Cecil Leitch and 24-year-old Pilot Officer George Rendle, who crashed into the Channel after their fighter-bomber planes suffered engine failure. Four other airmen also lost their lives in similar circumstances but have no grave but the sea.

The fuselage of one of the original aircraft, which crashed in the Netherlands, is now being restored at Airframe Assemblies at Sandown Airport. Wightlink supports the project with assisted travel for members of the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group. Restoration work on the rear fuselage is now complete with one of the final rivets being placed by Gerry, a 100-year-old RAF ground crew member who repaired Typhoons during the war. The ambitious project will cost upwards of £6million and one million has already been raised.

Project Director Sam Worthington-Leese, whose grandfather flew Typhoons during the Second World War, says: “Almost a decade of work is now over. I would like to thank everyone who has helped us get to where we are today, including Wightlink for supporting us with assisted travel. We look forward to continuing with the rebuild and progressing as fast as funds allow.”

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