WWII Glider Crash Victims Honoured at New Greenham Park
On December the 12th 1944, 33 American servicemen were killed in a glider accident at Greenham Common. The glider’s two pilots, along with 31 paratroopers onboard died at the military airbase, when the glider crashed shortly after take off.
To mark the 60th anniversary of this tragedy, Greenham Common Trust, who owns New Greenham Park, chose to rename one of the roads on the business park “Weber Way”, in honour of Private Dale Weber, one of the 31 paratroopers who died in the crash. Other roads on the park, including Albury Way and Lindenmuth Way, have previously been named after other victims.
Fifteen relatives of the crash victims travelled from the USA to commemorate the 60th anniversary. Among them was Peggy Albury from New Jersey, who was born three months after her father, Lieutenant Albury, had died. The anniversary event was organised by the Newbury Branch of the Royal British Legion, who hold a memorial ceremony at the business park each December.
Robin Hicks chairman of the Newbury Royal British Legion said: “These young men died tragically, many miles from their homes and families. It is our honour to remember the sacrifice they made in the defence of freedom. The transformation of the former airbase into New Greenham Park and the charitable income that the business park will produce for generations to come is a fitting tribute to all those who gave.”
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Revision Number: 0.1 Created: 09/02/2005 14:48:49 Modified: 09/02/2005 14:48:49