For details of the reasons for the B-17 crash and the connection to the Pathfinders of the American co-pilot, JACK RUSSELL, who had previously flown with 97 Squadron, see this page: Jack Russell, USAAF, and Pathfinding Techniques

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THE DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL, 80th Anniversary, 10 November 2023

By Steve Andrews

At 10.35am on the 10th of November last year, 2023, it was not the sound of a four-engine bomber that was heard, exactly 80 years to the moment of a tragic plane crash, but rather the emotive sound of four hooves getting louder and heralding the arrival of a Suffolk Punch horse called Gifford. His noble presence was fortuitously timed during the two minutes silence. The attention of the gathered audience, paying their respects at the unveiling and dedication of a new memorial, gradually turned to the scene of Gifford majestically parading down the avenue of lime trees leading to the Oaksmere Country House Hotel in Brome, Suffolk.

Not only did all onboard the specialist radar-equipped aircraft lose their lives, but fate also saw an East Suffolk County Council work crew in the direct path of the crippled aircraft. One of the four men, contract worker William Dixon from Finningham, had driven a horse and tumbril  over  that  morning  to  cart  the spoil away from the ditch clearance work.

Eyewitness Rose Wingfield, recognised Charlie Burridge working in the ditch. She called out, ’You aren’t digging your own grave, are you?’ He laughed, ‘I hope not, Ma’am’. Moments later Rose heard the sound of the stricken aircraft and turned to see it crash. Careering across the road, the wreckage collected the poor horse and cart, hurling them and the workmen into the field opposite. All were engulfed in the ensuing fireball. Two of the workmen died instantly, with William Dixon dying on admittance to Eye hospital where fellow workman Ernest Barker died two days later.

During the designing of the memorial and making plans for the ceremony, the horse was always a key element of the remembrance, as well as emphasising the dangers to the local population of East Anglia. It was estimated that most people lived within ten miles of an active wartime airfield with all the inherent dangers. We researched the casualties and even though we found relatives of William Dixon, no photographs of either him or the horse have materialized. Robert Dixon, his nephew, remembers his Uncle Will and the horse passing the cottage where they lived. He also confirmed that Will and the horse, had been subcontracted out from his employer, George Arnold of Rickenhall. The relatives were heartened by the inclusion of two images of a horse on the stonework of the memorial.

The idea of having a horse on the actual day, had been talked about with a friend of the project, Greg Aldridge, who also laid the memorial foundation and just happens to own two Suffolk Punches. With significant delays to planning permission and various other issues, the idea of a horse attending had fallen by the wayside. Fast forward to the night before the ceremony, and an evening reception at the Oaksmere for relations and those who helped with the memorial research and construction. As the evening came to an end, Greg was approached and asked if his horse or horses could attend the following day. After some negotiating with his wife, Kim, Greg was on side and they promised to do their best.

On the morning of the ceremony, with lots of setting up and participants to organise, the horse was lower on the list of priorities and what would be, would be. However, Greg and Kim were pulling out all the stops. When their pair of Suffolk Punches had refused to load into the horsebox, quick phone calls were made to a friend in Bungay. Gifford’s owner, Jayne Groom, willingly agreed to provide the star appearance. Along with handlers, Karen White and Holly Lutkin, they were in place and waiting for the opportune moment for their grand entrance. Placing the trailer and its tail gates at the Oaksmere’s old brick gateway to prevent Gifford from bolting onto the road, this sensible security measure had a knock-on effect. It had been decided that two re-enactors, representing the crew, would also escort Gifford down the avenue of trees. However, finding their way blocked by the horsebox, the plan rapidly changed and they had to run back to the side entrance and provide the next element of the surprise, appearing from behind the memorial itself. This combination provided a fitting tribute to the lost crew.

Article by Steve Andrews on behalf of the B-17 Pathfinder Memorial, Brome, Suffolk.

Photo credits: Wendy Aiken, Marlyn Bishop, Suzanne Stevens. The crash site image: Don and Peggy Garnham, 490th BG Archive via Clive Stevens Collection.

If anyone has details or information about the Brome B-17 crash or the casualties, those involved with the project would still love to hear from you and the Archive can forward any messages. “We are particularly hoping to find photographs of William Dixon and Ernest Barker, the last two images of the seventeen casualties. Also any help with finding an image of the horse, our ultimate goal, would be greatly appreciated.”