During the Second World War, Yorkshire was home to around 40 airfields, many in the flat areas of the Vale of York. Thousands of airmen died flying from the Yorkshire airfields, many lost on training flights, because of weather conditions or aircraft malfunction. In recent decades memorials have been placed at some of these crash sites, and also close to former airfields.
At Aldborough, near Boroughbridge, a memorial on the village green remembers a 1944 crash at nearby Studforth Hill. The crew, of 432 squadron, were based at East Moor airfield, here at Sutton-on-the-Forest, north of York - one of several local airfields used by Canadian forces - Tholthorpe was another.
In 1990 a memorial was erected at the end of the main village street. The inscription reads 'This memorial is dedicated to all who served at East Moor in World War II, many of whom gave their lives, and in gratitude to the people of Yorkshire who welcomed them.'
See also: Former airfield: East Moor, Sutton on the Forest
Three airmen who served at East Moor are buried in the cemetery at the other end of the village of Sutton-on-the-Forest, their graves marked by the familiar Commonwealth War Graves headstones. Also in the cemetery, and connected with the airfield of East Moor after the war years, is a group of Polish graves.
For background information on Tholthorpe and other local airfields:
Yorkshire Airfields in the Second World War
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My book Chocolate and Chicory: York and beyond, by bicycle (right) has more information on the role of local airfields, and includes a mapped cycle route from York to East Moor, taking in other sites in the area connected with the Second World War. More info >