Memorial Service
On 15th January 1963, Col Wendell J Kelley of the 20th TFW USAF, based at Wethersfield, England, took off in a two-seat F100 for instrument training. At FL 260, he experienced a low oil warning, vibration and smoke. He and 1st Lt Paul Briggs elected to return to Wethersfield. The aircraft was carying external tanks, and they had to position out to sea to drop them. The time lost was critical, in that at 4,500' on the approach to Wethersfield the engine finally gave up the ghost. An attempt was made to turn the aircraft to a clear area, and at 1,500' Col Kelley made the decision to eject. 1st Lt Bragg, in the front seat, blew the canopy and instructed Col Kelley to go. After about five seconds, 1st Lt Bragg tried to ascertain if Col Kelley had ejected and, being now very low and slow, ejected himself, landing a couple of hundred yards from the impact site. The aircraft was heading directly towards the village of Gosfield and its primary school. Col Kelley was well aware of this and, I think in a genuine case, rode the aircraft down to the ground. His body was found against a hedge a few yards from the main wreckage.
In memory of his action there has been a small plaque and a stand of trees in the local playing field for several years. Today, on the nearest Sunday to the fiftieth anniversary of the crash, a memorial service was held, with wreath laying both at the memorial and at the crash site. There were about a hundred villagers present, including one who had witnessed the crash. Special guests were Col Kelley's daughter, her son and his wife, who had flown over from America specially for the service.
It was a moving service, and very poignant seeing the Stars and Stripes being paraded through the village.
I'll try and attach pictures later today.
Last edited by Herod; 13th Jan 2013 at 17:36.