RAF Snaith Memorial Garden
 

Mrs Ex and I were out and about last Friday when we happened upon the former RAF Snaith. OK, it wasn't that much of an accident as I've just been reading Yorkshire Airfields in the Second World War by Patrick Otter but neither of us were prepared for the simple dignity of the garden in memory of 51 and 150 Squadrons. My photographs do not do it justice.

Mike and Sid were hard at it, preparing the garden for the Remembrance Day Parade with 51 Squadron but they were happy enough to break off to tell us all about the project.

So, if you're in the area, go and have a look; you'll be impressed, I'm sure. Don't forget the tissues - I'm sure it was the wind that made my eyes water...

Co-ords are 53 40' 31.74"N; 01 04' 50.43"W. No postcode, I fear, but if you can find Pollington village, you're almost there.

Incidentally, I was 3 days old when LW497 with Squadron Leader Eno and his crew FTR from Stuttgart. Sadly his (second?) DSO was a little late:

ENO, S/L Lloyd Higgs (40096) - Distinguished Service Order - No.51 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 31 March 1944. DHist cards refer to Air Ministrt Bulletin 13408/AL.785.

This officer has completed many sorties on his second tour of operations and his continued good work has won great praise. In recent operations Squadron Leader Eno has attacked many targets including Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Magdeburg and Berlin. He has at all times displayed great courage and determination and his example has impressed all. In addition to his work in the air, Squadron Leader Eno has rendered valuable service in the training of other members of the squadron.

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Went a few years ago, It is very impressive and shows full respect to the crew.

Alot of the original buildings are still intact, if Ican remember 2 hangars, And numerous out - buildings.

The site is quite easy to find, If your on the M62, You cannot access it directly, But can see the huge stacks of hay.

You have to turn off the next junction and work back on yourself.

there are 2 ways to it, Through the nearby village of Great Heck, Follow the road up over the bridge (The scene of the Rail crash) and Snaith Airfield is about 600 yds on your left.

It is a light industrial estate now and there are no gates.

You will find that there is a website devoted to the memorial here.

YS

I'm very lucky that my job allows me to cover this area, as well as the old airfields at Breighton, Pocklington, Home on Spalding Moor, Melbourne and Full Sutton. Also, the airship base at Howden, Barnes Wallis and all that, and the relief landing ground at Bellasize, next to nothing left of these last two though.
Apart from the tower, I always thought that Snaith (Pollington) was reasonably complete, until one of the locals lent me a book (Ford?) which showed how much of the site had gone forever.
Sadly, I will not be able to attend the Remberance Day service this year, it has always been a joy to speak with those that served here.
Dibs.

From the memorial:

"In memory of the 687 Airmen of 51 Squadron...who lost their lives...between October 1942 and April 1945",

687 in 2 and a half years. From a single squadron.

Wow.

I appear to have some dust in my eye.

ibdib

where was the RLG at Bellasize? My cousin farms there, and I have never heard that, nor seen any vaguely WW2 buildings there.

regards

Skua

Skua - here - just a field/hedge outline now. RLGs were often just a field and a wooden hut.

Dibs, you is a lucky boy.

Holme on Spalding Moor with Buccs at zero feet - "testing, don't you know, Boss" - and Melbourne with its memorial to the "Shiny 10".

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skua...the exact location or layout is unknown to me. But, heading north from the manned railway crossing, if you look to the right, maybe 200 yards, there is a small, brick building in the usual green paint. Its structure/condition fits in with the buildings at all the other nearby disused airfields. That's all I have to offer I'm afraid. Ibdib.

Visiting Snaith
 

Apologies for re-opening this old thread but can anyone shed any light on how I can visit Snaith and see the memorial?

My uncle was crew on Halifaxes here during the war until he was shot down in Mar 45. He survived the war and lived until 1996 when he fell victim to the e.coli outbreak in Wishaw.

I've always promised to take my mother (his sister) to see the airfield he flew out of and finally I'm going to take he in August.

All help much appreciated

Douglas

Go to Google Maps UK and put in Pollington.
Leave the village by Pinfold Lane
Turn left onto HecK & Pollington Lane.
The site is opposite the Chemical Works within a couple of hundred yards from the corner.

Need more info? PM me.

Although it was called R.A.F Snaith it was not at Snaith. They chose that name because Pollington would sound too much like Pocklington in radio communications.

Just copy and paste the lat & long below into google maps:

N53 40' 36.74", W001 04' 50.41"

Thanks chaps, this is much appreciated.

Is it possible to gain access to what's left of the airfield or is it fenced off?

cheers

Douglas

There are a few old buildings and a hangar left but I don't think that the company will welcome anyone wandering around. It is classed as an industrial site.

If you PM me I can put you in touch with the secretary of the Memorial Garden. She might even meet you there.

My cousin died 30th June '44 on the Villers-Bocage raid with 51 Squadron.

There are books available with the history of the Airfield and the Squadron and they are low in price.