Memorials unveiled at WW2 airfields

Two World War Two airfields, in Orkney’s West Mainland, were honoured this weekend, with a pair of memorials being unveiled at the sites

The memorials, at Skeabrae and HMS Tern, also known as Twatt airfield, were unveiled yesterday, Saturday, by veterans Walter Crosbie, of 771 Squadron, and Celia Green, who both served at the airfields during the war.

The memorials have been provided through planning and cooperation by the airfields of Britain Conservation Trust, The Birsay heritage Trust and Aircraft Recovery Group Orkney.

The memorial at Skeabrae was unveiled at 11am, with the one at HMS Tern unveiled at 12 noon. They are dedicated to all the units and personnel that were based at either airfield.

Skeabrae Airfield was a major fighter airfield during World War Two, vitally helping to protect the Royal Navy fleet at Scapa Flow by accommodating mainly Spitfire squadrons. HMS Tern became one of Britain’s earliest World War Two naval airfields designed as such and, from 1941, proved extremely busy through holding numerous Fleet Air Arm squadrons while either temporarily disembarked from their aircraft carriers or through providing invaluable training.

Today, Sunday, also saw an open day held at HMS Tern, with days’ both the events coinciding with the Orkney Aviation Festival, which kicked off on Thursday.