The lives of 17 airmen who were killed in the Second World War have been remembered in a Norfolk village.
The Lord Dannatt joined 50 people in Halvergate, near Great Yarmouth, as they paid tribute at the unveiling of a new monument by the Halvergate and Tunstall War Memorial.
The plaque honours the lives of the 11 Americans, four Canadians, one Briton and one Irishman who lost their lives in three separate crashes on marshland near the village.
For Maxine Gymer, the plaque's unveiling marked the end of a four-year mission to honour those who gave their lives.
Ms Gymer's late grandfather, marshman Freddie Mutton, had shared stories of the time he tended to one of the crash victims. Mr Mutton comforted the fallen airman as he lay in the marshes dying from his injuries.
"Grandad saw some horrific sights," said Ms Gymer.
"And it was always on my mind that there was no memorial for the men who died here."
READ MORE: Remembering air crashes of the past
After speaking at a parish council meeting, Ms Gymer enlisted the help of then-chairman Charles Reader. While the council sought out the expertise of stonemason Nick Hindle, Ms Gymer researched the lives of the airmen who had lost their lives.
She said the plaque unveiling was "emotional".
"After researching these lives, you get to know these people," she said.
"There's a bond between these 17 men and this village.
"I am proud of Halvergate for doing this, and I think my granddad would be proud."
The Lord Dannatt was joined by Ms Gymer, RAF veteran Graham Allcock, parish councillors, villagers, the Rev Ron Tuck and Mr Hindle.
Representatives of 901 Troop Marine Cadets, the Royal British Legion, the 466th Bomb Group Heritage Centre and the RAF Association Great Yarmouth also attended the ceremony.
Halvergate Parish Council clerk Philip Stone said: "This memorial ensures these men's lives and their sacrifice will be remembered by all in Halvergate."
The Fallen Airmen
On January 26, 1943, an RAF Wellington 3 bomber which was part of 23 Operational Training Group of the RAF took off from RAF Pershore.
It broke up in midair and crashed into the marshes near Halvergate village.
Killed were:
Sgt Joseph Samuel Cornfield, Royal Canadian Air Force
P/O Robert Porter Love, Royal Canadian Air Force
F/O Dalton Ross Alexander MacDougall, Royal Canadian Air Force
Sgt Brian Patrick Enright, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Sgt Thomas James Whalley, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Sgt James Joseph Snyder, Royal Canadian Air Force
On May 8, 1944, a USAAF B-24 Liberator from the 466th Bomber Group took off from RAF Shipdham for a practice flight.
There was an explosion and the plane and went into a spin as it burnt. Examination of the wreckage in Halvergate marshes showed that it had sustained enemy fire and had been shot down.
Killed were:
1st Lt Forest M Musgrave, United States Army Air Force
T/Sgt Lawrence E Cargill, United States Army Air Force
On July 13, 1944, a USAAF B-24 Liberator (nicknamed Bird Dog) took off on a combat mission in unfavourable weather.
The plane appeared to go into a spin and crashed into the marshes close to Tunstall Staithe.
Killed were:
2Lt Adam E Wunderlich, United States Army Air Force
2Lt Russell L Olson, United States Army Air Force
2Lt Milton M Dobkin, United States Army Air Force
S/Sgt Charles E Thompson, United States Army Air Force
S/Sgt Frank C Church, United States Army Air Force
Sgt Ralph W Fleming, United States Army Air Force
Sgt William Mallory, United States Army Air Force
Sgt William C Myers, United States Army Air Force
Sgt Harry R Thomas, United States Army Air Force
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