Their names carved in stone, so they will last,

Seven men flew together comrades in arms

To serve their country they’d no future planned,

All to rely on was their youthful past.

There was grieving at home when sad news arrived,

Families not believing when words were read out.

A loved one no longer to convey events,

From that terrible crash how many survived.

A village in wartime had suffered that crash,

Scattered remains, a huge iron bird fallen.

Once female, womb like and fully contained,

Their souls left the scene on their heavenward dash.

Each year we remember with tributes most floral,

Seven men now together gone through the portals.

Their future confirmed no longer in doubt,

Our heroes bedecked with wreaths of true laurel.

Walter Townend

Written by Walter – as a 13 year old he visited the crash site of the 51 Squadron Halifax LK844 MH-M that came down in the evening of 14th November 1944.