The Belvoir Rail Team recently undertook a community project to refurbish a war memorial at Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire.
The team, consisting of Simon Hall, Mark Claxton, Oliver Heathfield, and Nathan Wallace, successfully restored the memorial to its former glory, to honour the brave individuals who served at Langar Airfield during World War II.
The Belvoir Rail Team took on the responsibility of repairing and repainting a damaged concrete plinth, refurbishing the memorial metalwork, and mounting a new plaque provided by Charles Rayner Ltd. Additionally, the team installed a new bench donated by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Langar Airfield, a former Royal Air Force station, played a crucial role in supporting military operations during World War II. Opened in September 1942, it served as a base for both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force. Tragically, in May 1943, Lancaster W4938 and its crew were lost in a fatal crash shortly after take-off from Langar Airfield.
To commemorate the 251 members of the 207 Squadron who gave their lives while serving at the airfield, the memorial was erected and unveiled in 1994 by the late Dorothy Ware, the widow of Sgt Thomas Skelton, lost on ops from Langar in May 1943.
James Brown, the Managing Director of Belvoir Rail said "We are honoured to be a part of the refurbishment of the memorial at Langar. It is a small but significant way for us to give back to the community and to honour those who served at Langar. We are proud of our team for their dedication and hard work on this project."
Poignant Lancaster flypast at memorial to wartime bomber crew
To commemorate the completion of the refurbishment, a special commemoration service was held on Saturday 13 May. The service was attended by local councillors, members of the community, the British Legion and family members of those who served at Langar. The event was made even more memorable with a flypast by a Lancaster Bomber from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, adding a touch of nostalgia and paying tribute to the historic significance of the airfield.
The Belvoir Rail Team's efforts in restoring the war memorial at Langar Airfield not only recognises the bravery of those who served at the Airfield but also serve as a reminder of the importance of community engagement and preserving our shared history.
Belvoir Rail extends a special thanks to Charles Rayner Ltd for their help with the production of the memorial plaque.