Following the appalling vandalism of the Royal Air Force and Royal Flying Corps memorial on the Camber Road just before Christmas, Rye Conservation Society (RCS) has pledged to make a donation for the repair or purchase of a new memorial.
The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust first considered the idea of a memorial plaque at the former Rye airfield, with Colonel Kimber and the Rye branch of the Royal British Legion throwing their support and expertise behind the project. Rye Town Council also provided a grant.
RCS chairman David Bookless explained that when the idea was first mooted a few years ago for a memorial to honour the RFC and RAF personnel who had served at the first world war airfield near East Guldeford, RCS had stepped in with a donation to pay for the stone plaque.
"In common with all Ryers we were shocked to discover that the plaque had been so senselessly vandalised," said David. "This memorial honours all those who put their lives on the line to defend us and our way of life. In the first world war simply flying in a aircraft was enormously dangerous, with fatal crashes at airfields in England a daily occurrence.
"The board of the Rye Conservation Society voted unanimously to make a donation to fund the original memorial, and it has done so again, probably for a replacement as the original has been so seriously damaged. All service personnel, and in this case those of the RFC and RAF, will not be forgotten."
