Second World War airman honoured as new memorial unveiled 77 years after his plane was shot down

Sergeant Ronald Heslop, 20, of Meadow Avenue, Blackhall, was one of a seven-strong crew that perished when their Lancaster Bomber was downed during a raid on March 12, 1943.

It was shot down while on its way to attack a German munitions factory.

Ronald, a bomb aimer, and the crew of ED449 are buried in Jonkerbos war cemetery in Nijmegen, Holland.

Now a new Wing of Freedom memorial has been unveiled at a moving ceremony in Bergen in the Netherlands and was attended by members of the airmen’s families including Ronald’s.

The memorial, also in tribute to 28 Allied airmen who lost their lives in the area, was created after a group of military enthusiasts called Planehunters last year found parts of Ronald’s plane at the town of Nieuw Bergen.

It replicates a wing of the plane, part of which broke off when it was hit and landed upright in the sand dunes.

Blackhall Local History Group members Edwina McGarry and Stan Gray helped the ceremony’s organisers trace Ronald’s relatives who attended.

Stan said: “It is like the memorial is putting Blackhall on the map. We are happy to have had some input into it by furnishing the organisers with details of Mr Heslop’s family that we had.”

The unveiling was attended by dignitaries, including representatives from the British and Canadian embassies. The Last Post was played and wreaths laid.

Leo Janssen, of the Wings of Freedom group who led the unveiling ceremony, said: “We had representatives of all seven, in total 36 family members from all over the world.

“With great help of sponsors, we were able to offer these ‘friends’ a complete free, three-day programme, including food and shelter with local families.

“These were beautiful and emotional days, for all of us.”

Relatives of Ronald who attended included his brothers Raymond and Peter.

Peter’s wife Judith Heslop, 76, of Goathland, North Yorkshire, said: “We think it’s absolutely fantastic what they have done.

“It’s unbelievable what they’ve done to find out all about these seven men and contact the families.”

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