The RAF Crew Memorial, Hartenstein Museum Grounds

This was the brainchild of Alan Hartley (standing beside the Memorial), the founder of the RAF Down Ampney Association, which remembered all the crews that flew the re-supply aircraft during Operation Market Garden. Alan raised thousands of pounds. Sir John Bond, Chairman of HSBC sponsored a ae10, 000 donation in memory of Captain John Grayburn VC who won his award for actions at Arnhem. His father had worked at HSBC. General Anthony Deane-Drummond (who had escaped at Arnhem by hiding in a cupboard for 13 days) lent his support and Lord Ashcroft donated ae1, 000. In Holland much co-ordination and arranging of local permssions to place the Memorial, was done by Frans Ammerlaan who also succeeded in having General Sosabowski posthumously awarded the Dutch Bronze Lion in recognition of the Polish Parachute Brigade. The eagle design was based on one in the collection of Major and Mrs Holt (whose faint reflection, as they took the photograph, can be see in the marble column during the unveiling on 15th September 2006)

Actions Arnhem Arranging Ashcroft Brainchild Co-ordination Crews Cupboard Donated Donation Done Escaped Failed Faint Flew Frans Hartenstein Hartley Holt Hsbc Lent Memory Parachute Posthumously Pounds Re-supply Recognition Remembered Sponsored Succeeded Unveiling

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