A lot has transpired between America and Great Britain over the last 250 years. From bitter rivals during the Revolutionary War to finding common ground on the European battlefields in World War II, the bond between the two countries has taken on new meaning. Many people don’t realize that there are over 900 British RAF pilots interred in American soil in 448 locations across the country. Seven of them are in Albany, Georgia at the Crown Hill Cemetery.
Remembering Veterans from All Nations
Veterans Day is a national holiday set aside for America to honor its fallen warriors and heroes. This includes every veteran whether they be from the United States of America, the Confederate States of America, or in this case, the British Royal Air Force. It is a day of remembrance for every soldier who died on American soil.
What many Americans don’t realize is that in the years prior to America entering World War II, Great Britain sent almost 8,000 cadets to the United States for training. While there were flight schools that were supervised by British officers, the United States Army also offered flight training to RAF pilots through the Arnold Scheme. The Arnold Scheme got its name from the Chief of the U.S. Air Force who established the schools, US General Henry H. Arnold. Several of these training centers were located in the southeast, including one in Albany, Georgia and another in Americus, Georgia.
RAF Pilots on American Soil
The Lend-Lease Act of 1941, made it possible for cadets from the British Royal Air Force to train in the United States. Over the span of almost two years, RAF pilots came to America to learn how to fly in combat conditions under what was referred to as The Arnold Scheme. During that time, several pilots made the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives in accidents that occurred during training.
While the pilots were stationed in America, they developed close relationships with both military personnel and civilians alike. In some cases, those bonds have lasted long after the soldiers perished. According to British tradition, the RAF pilots were buried near where they died. In this case, thousands of miles from their homes and families.
Honoring the Fallen
The American citizens who knew the pilots and had developed close relationships with them, took it upon themselves to care for the graves for several years. As time passed and many of the original caretakers began to pass away, some of the RAF pilots’ graves were no longer being cared for. For some families, the tradition has been carried on and the graves are now being cared for by the original caretakers’ children and grandchildren.
In Arcadia, Florida, the headstones of 23 young RAF cadets who died during training rest easy under the British Union flag. Even though many of the original caretakers of these graves have passed on, the citizens of Arcadia have picked up the torch and continue to visit and care for the graves each year so that no soldier is forgotten. Especially those who are so far from their home and loved ones.
A Personal Touch
For several years, the graves of the seven RAF cadets buried in Albany went unnoticed. Ten years ago, that changed. Cheryl Edwards was born and raised in Portsmouth, England. She met and married the love of her life, Jack, when he was stationed abroad. When he was transferred back to the states, he brought his new bride along. Through being stationed at Moody Air Force Base and eventually working for a local charitable organization, Cheryl and Jack began to learn a lot of interesting things about the place they now called home. When Cheryl learned about the RAF pilots interred in Albany, she immediately went to work trying to find out where they were and if they were being cared for.
Since that time, it has become a yearly ritual for her to visit the RAF Memorial and the seven cadets it honors. Every year she places wreaths of poppies on each headstone so that others will know that the cadets have not been forgotten. For the past two years, the Daughters of the British Empire have provided Cheryl with the wreaths. This year, she was not alone. Jacqueline Wilson, her husband Jay, Elaine Hughes and her husband Barry, also attended. Taps was played and Cheryl recited Poem for the Fallen.
Cheryl and her friends work each year to make sure the RAF pilots are remembered for both their service, as well as their sacrifice. While it may be difficult for the cadets’ families to make the trip to the United States to honor their relatives, they can rest assured that they are not forgotten. Not only are they being remembered, they are being honored by their own countrymen and women.
Royal Air Force cadets buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Albany, GA:
RAF Cadet T. Moseley 1919 – 1942
RAF Cadet R. S. Wilson 1921 – 1941
RAF Cadet H. D. Wilson 1922 – 1941
RAF Cadet E. N. G. Furze 1921 – 1941
RAF Cadet J. Hartley 1917 – 1941
RAF Cadet D. Hope 1923 – 1942
RAF Cadet E. S. Headington 1921 – 1941
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