Hidden Henley

The local name for the retailers in the precinct at Wootten Green in Henley on Thames is the Top Shops and just around the corner from there is King James Way. There’s a useful short steep walk from here to the Deanfield area of our town via the woods at Chalk Bank and you may notice at the same time this curious sight of a World War II aircraft propeller next to the pavement.

The attached notice attached reads:

This Bristol Blenheim aircraft Mk 1 type 142M variable pitch propeller came up in a fishing net in North Holland. The three man crew may have run out of fuel, suffered mechanical issues, “icing”, or been shot down. Nothing is known of their fate, typically their ages would have been 22 years old. This monument recognises the young aircrews of all nationalities who sacrificed their lives in obedience and patriotism for their respective countries at a time of regretful tragic world turbulence. Our freedom and security can be attributed to so many, including this air crew. The Blenheim introduced in 1937 was the first RAF plane to fly into Europe after the declaration of war. 4,422 were built. One flying example exists today. Powered by twin 860hp radial Bristol Mercury engines. We, I can never reconcile the sacrifices and utter bravery against all odds of WW2 aircrew.

Crudelius est quam mori semper timere mortem

(It is more cruel to always fear death than to die. Worrying about death all the time hurts more than the actual event of dying)

How this thought provoking installation came to be here is unknown to me, but it’s certainly a sad story.

My apologies for the poor mobile phone photo this week.