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POLISH MEMORIAL/RAF GRANGEMOUTH
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:05 pm    Post subject: POLISH MEMORIAL/RAF GRANGEMOUTH Reply with quote

"For the first time for a long time Spitfires and a Hurricane will fly over the Firth of Forth in Scotland during a ceremony to honour the many Polish Spitfire aces in W.W.2 who were trained at 58 Operational Unit in Grangemouth, Scotland, which sits at the head of the Firth of Forth.
Today Grangemouth is Scotland's Ploesti-dominated by massive oil and gas refineries but between 1940-45 Grangemouth airfield (whose runways are now incorporated into an automobile freeway)was the place that the vast majority of Polish fighter pilots underwent their combat training on Spitfires before becoming high scoring RAF aces.
NOW ON SEPTEMBER 13 a memorial to the Polish airmen who trained at Grangemouth, Scotland, and died in combat will be unveiled and accompanied by a flypast of Spitfires and a Hurricane.
The Spitfires involved will wear Polish WW2 Markings in honour of the occasion.
Of course, the Firth of Forth was the place over which Spitfires shot down the first Luftwaffe bombers in WW2 land on UK territory- on October 16 1939.
The Firth of Forth also has a unique place in German U-Boat history too.
It was in the Firth of Forth-in September 1914 that the very first torpedo EVER fired by a German U-Boat which sank a warship-sank HMS Pathfinder with heavy loss of life.
ON May 8 1945- just eight hours before Nazi Germany capitulated-a U-Boat sank the Canadian registered ''Avondale Park''and the Norwegian freighter, ''Sneland''in the Forth of Forth the very last ships sunk bY a Nazi U-Boat in W.W.2.
However, on September 13 it will be the Polish Spitfire aces who trained at Grangemouth at the top of the Firth of Forth who will rightly be "remembered for their great contribution to allied victory in W.W.2.
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apanderson
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Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 2571
Location: Stirlingshire

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you know where the memorial is going to be located John?

I haven't read the local rag this week so there might be something in there (Falkirk Herald). If there's any further info, I'll add it to the thread.

Anne
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apanderson
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Joined: 21 Dec 2006
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Location: Stirlingshire

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just answering my own question . . . . .

Came across this article on another site

"The memorial will be to all the pilots that died from several countries while attached to 58 Operational Training Unit & 2 Tactical Exercise Unit also from several of the Squadrons that were at RAF Grangemouth WW2. The pupil pilots and instructors came from Poland, USA (with RCAF), Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Czechoslovakia and the UK.
Every year since 1979 the cadets and staff from No.1333 (Grangemouth) Squadron Air Training Corps have paid tribute to the deceased pilots from RAF Grangemouth on our Rememberance Sunday at Grandsable Cemetery where most of them were laid to rest. Last year the Sqn visited Poland as hosts of the Polish Air Force to further honour the Polish pilots and contact Polish veterans form WW2 that served in Scotland.
'Exercise Grave Secret' was the name given to the first part of a project by the Sqn to remember the deceased pilots. The second phase of this project is to erect a memorial to all the deceased pilots as mentioned, next to a Cairn that lies beside one of the old hangars.
The unveiling ceremony will take place on Saturday 13th September 2008, the Battle of Britain Memorial flight consisting of the Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane will fly past on that afternoon.
This project is run by 1333 (Grangemouth) Squadron ATC with no other purpose than remembering the brave pilots that came to our town to train at RAF Grangemouth from across the globe and died while doing so.
Saturday 13th September will be a day open to all that want to come from near and far, everyone is very welcome to share our gratitude and respect to the brave young men that died."
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

I plan to go to the unveiling and pay my respects. However I am not familiar with the area. Can someone provide directions and a time please.

Alex
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am going to do my best to be there (I don't know the area either). Perhaps anyone who is going could meet up somewhere?

\Paul
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apanderson
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Joined: 21 Dec 2006
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Location: Stirlingshire

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seeing it's in my neck of the woods, I'll try and find out the details a.s.a.p.

You can hardly miss Grangemouth - you can see the refineries for miles!

The Civic Memorial and the 131 Independant Parachute Regt. Memorials are both in Zetland Park, see:

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1153

and

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1154

As far as I know (or can find out), most of the original airfield is gone, but I'll keep looking!

Anne
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
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Location: Fife

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 9:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Anne,

I know where Grangemouth is but not the exact location of the remaining hanger, which is where I assume the memorial is going to be unveiled.

For those coming from the East how about we meet up at MacDonalds next to the Forth Road Bridge?

Alex
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apanderson
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Joined: 21 Dec 2006
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Location: Stirlingshire

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

To make life easier, there is a McDonalds in Grangemouth, right beside Earlsgate Roundabout, next to a BP Garage. (At the bottom of Grangemouth Road from Falkirk)

Anne
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David McNay
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Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 11425
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I might see if I can make it along for this.
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apanderson
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Joined: 21 Dec 2006
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Location: Stirlingshire

PostPosted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

According to the Falkirk Herald (14th August 2008):

"A detailed planning application to erect a wall on the memorial site, near the Esso Petrol Station in Bo'ness Road, has been lodged with Falkirk Council . . . . . . "

I don't know where abouts on Bo'ness Road (A904) this petrol station is but I wouldn't think it would be too hard to find.

No details of times printed.

F.O. Tom McMorrow's phone number is given (for fundraising purposes). Maybe someone would care to give him a wee ring and get the details, the following are the contact numbers: 01324 552341 or 07866 680979

Anne
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just a reminder that this memorial is going to be unveiled tomorrow. I am afraid that I won't be able to make it up there - too much revision to do for my upcoming Mountain Rescue Team assessment.

There will be an item about this memorial on BBC1 at 6:30 this evening (Friday 12th) on the program Reporting Scotland.

\Paul
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splitshift



Joined: 12 Sep 2008
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:08 pm    Post subject: grangemouth Reply with quote

Hi guys I have just discovered youre site and think it is pretty interesting,
anyway directions to the memorial are as follows, ( I live locally )at the McDonalds follow the road round the round about and exiting from McDs it is the 3rd exit,( 1st is back on the M9,second goes to Skinflats ) follow road through industry, to next round about and take 4th exit, up the hill sign posted to town centre,go past police station on right and carry on, straight through lights and past Quick Fit on left, straight through next lights, petrol station is couple of hundred yards on right, go past and at next round about take the last exit before coming back on yourself and you will see the memorial, you will also see the remaining hanger that is now owned by Onran, waste material handling firm, plenty of parking round this industrial area.
If anyone needs any other directions mail me tonight.
Also, reason I was looking in the first place !
My Grandfather who died before I was born, was ground crew, mechanic type person at grangemouth but I am having very little luck in finding out anything about his time at grangemouth, any clues? Other grandfather was reserved occupation but was a Fireman ( AFS ? ) also where do I start ?Any way I will be at memorial tomorrow with my son,
regards Splitshift
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KevinStoke
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Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 175

PostPosted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dont forget to take your camera so that you can post plenty photos.

Best of luck in your quest for info on your grandfather

Kevin
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David McNay
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Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 11425
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland

PostPosted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 6:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unfortunately I won't be attending as this is Lanarkshire Doors open weekend and I'm using the opportunity to get some more memorials for the Project.
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:36 pm    Post subject: Grangemouth Reply with quote

Thanks to Mrs Aase Goldsmith for the following.
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