An interpretation board has been unveiled during an "intimate" ceremony in Huntingdon to mark the 46th anniversary of the Oxmoor plane crash on Norfolk Road.
On May 3, 1977, a tragic accident occurred when a pilot lost control of his plane on its way back to RAF Wyton and nose-dived into houses, resulting in the loss of five lives, including three children and two air pilots.
The accident happened just after midday, and witnesses recalled hearing the Canberra aircraft circling overhead.
Within minutes, the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames on impact.
Pilot Flt Leut John Armitage, aged 27, and the plane's navigator Flt Leut Laurence Davies, 26, died instantly.
Three children, Tracey Middleton, aged four, her two-year-old sister Kelly and three-month-old Adrian Thompson, also died.
In 2017, to mark the 40th anniversary of the tragedy and to remember the lives lost, Huntingdon Town Council unveiled a memorial bench and five tree plaques on the Norfolk Road side of Sapley Playing Fields.
On May 3, 2023, Huntingdon Town Council, together with representatives from RAF Wyton, held a ceremony at the memorial to remember the loss and install an interpretation board to tell the story of the memorial area.
Cllr Karl Webb, Armed Forces Champion for Huntingdon Town Council, said: "Residents of Huntingdon will always remember that fateful day, including my wife, who was at school at the time.
"Huntingdon Town Council installed this beautiful memorial in the park, but some people didn't understand its significance.
On 3rd May 1977, there was a tragic accident on Norfolk Road, Huntingdon which resulted in the loss of 5 lives; 3 children and 2 pilots.
— Huntingdon Town Council (@Huntingdon_Town) May 4, 2023
In 2017, to mark the 40th anniversary of the tragedy and to remember the lives lost, we unveiled a memorial bench and five tree plaques 🧵 pic.twitter.com/0Qnz5IIqT8
"This interpretation board tells of that sad day and ensures that those who lost their lives will always be remembered by the people of this town."
Deputy Mayor Councillor Audrey McAdam opened the ceremony with a few words to explain why the interpretation board had been installed.
The Mayor's Chaplain, Rev Jon Randall, led a prayer of remembrance, and then Group Captain Sam Watts spoke about the impact of the tragedy on RAF Wyton and how the ties between RAF Wyton and the community of Huntingdon have been strengthened.
Cllr McAdam and Group Captain Watts then unveiled the interpretation board so that future generations can understand and reflect on why the memorial area is there.
An RAF spokesperson said: "It was an honour to have the opportunity to be part of this important ceremony.
"I feel part of this community, which is a privilege for me, having spent over a decade in the Huntingdon area.
"The words spoken by the Gp Capt, Deputy Mayor and Rev Randall in memory of the innocent lives lost on that day filled me with emotions.
"However, those same words also made me proud to serve this community as well as my country.
"As a father myself, it was a poignant reminder that in the act of defending the U.K, it is vital that we do everything we can to prevent fatal accidents like this from occurring to those we have a duty to defend.
"The interpretation board serves as a reminder to future generations as to why the memorial site exists, and I hope it can be used as a place where all can find peace."
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