THIRTY-three American and British airmen who died in service during World War Two at Dunkewell Airfield, on the Blackdown Hills, have finally been commemorated 80 years later.

Two new brass memorial plaques have been unveiled in St Nicolas’ Church, Dunkeswell, following a successful fund-raising campaign undertaken by the South West Airfields Heritage Trust (SWAHT).

They sit below an existing US Naval memorial in the church, where American Navy airmen supported by their government donated an organ and a brass plate at the end of World War Two.

The airmen also helped to reduce the church tower following damage it suffered from the vibration of the Liberator aircraft which were based at Dunkeswell Airfield.

The Dunkeswell dedication ceremony was conducted by the trust, which operates WW2 heritage centres in Dunkeswell and nearby Smeatharpe, together with St Peter’s Masonic Lodge, in Tiverton, and Dunkeswell Parish Council.

SWAHT chairman Brian Lane-Smith said it was unfortunate that the existing memorial was missing the names of 27 men from the USAAF 479th who preceded the US Navy and also six RAF personnel who lost their lives through accidents while serving on the airfield.

Mr Lane-Smith said: “Due to happenstance, the brass plaque only listed those from the US Navy.

“This was not deliberate.

“We approached the church with a view to putting this anomaly right and suggested we firstly replace the 79-year-old oak frame - there was evidence of woodworm in it - with a new oak frame which would then be extended downwards to a new oak-hinged wreath shelf which would be the width of the sign so that more wreaths can be accommodated.

“The original US Navy sign would then be complimented with two smaller matching brass plaques, underneath.

“One for the USAAF, and one for the RAF.”

Mr Lane-Smith said the trust carried out research and identified all those for both the USAAF and RAF who were lost.

Churchwarden Peter Girling said: “We readily agreed, as many families in Dunkeswell still remember, with great affection, the American presence here.

“This coincides with the decision by the church council under the chairmanship of the rector, the Rev Nigel Candelent, to commission a new stained glass window to commemorate the Americans who served at the airfield.”

St Peter’s lodge master Tam Dudgeon helped unveil the new plaques, for which masons contributed £1,000, and said they were delighted to support a ‘worthy project’ because it was important to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The parish council gave £300 and chairman Cllr John Barrow said councillors were pleased to help, although most of those who were there during the war had since died.

Cllr Barrow said the village had never forgotten the brave young Americans and also the RAF personnel ‘who came to our aid in our hour of need’.

He said: “I think this will be a lasting commemoration to those who served at the airfield and who also died on the airfield - and I would like to thank Brian and the trust for undertaking this project.”