Per Ardua ad Astra
N 33° 26.328 W 111° 50.052
12S E 422459 N 3700245
To the 23 cadets of the Royal Air Force and one American from World War II, who died training a long long way from home.
Waymark Code: WM908R
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 06/07/2010
Views: 17
The Royal Air Force Veterans Memorial
World War II broke out, and soon it became apparent that the UK did not have enough resources to train new pilots. They devised the Empire Training Scheme, whereby cadets would train in other countries. Among them, the US.
September 1941, Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona becomes the No 1 British Flying School. During the years the cadets trained, the people of Mesa embraced them, helping them to have a home in the desert. As with all military training, there were some deaths. Twenty three cadets (and one American) died in the desert training ground. They are buried in the City of Mesa Cemetery.
This memorial stands in the cemetery near their graves. Each year, around the time of Veteran's Day in the US, the Daughters of the British Empire in Arizona host memorial ceremonies for the deceased cadets. Over the past four decades, this annual service has developed into a significant and poignant event. In 1997, it was attended by Sir Angus Ogilvy, husband of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandria, as well as British Consul-General Merrick Baker-Bates.
The monument is in the City of Mesa cemetery. The tombstone shaped memorial is of granite with a bronze plaque containing the words listed below. The memorial is surrounded by flowers, usually petunias. Currently there are small American flags at its base and 2 painted rocks on top of the memorial.
The memorial reads:
Per Ardua ad Astra
Alexander T Brooks
James G Buchanan
John G Versturme-Bunbury
William Burke
Peter D Campbell
Walter W Chamberlain
Reginald G H Clarke
Paul C J Colling
George Davison
John R Durston
Frank Glew
John R Gomm
Harold E Hartley
Robert B Horn
Robert Lawther
Arthur R Lewis
Anthony S Lovett
Peter F Mitson
Albert Morris
Horace R J Partoon
Jack Payne
Alec H Sutton
William J Watters
In memory of those Royal Air Force cadets who gave their lives in the cause of freedom during World War II while training at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona.
Presented by
The Daughters of the British Empire in Arizona
The Falcon Field Association
Relatives and friends
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: Go to City of Mesa cemetery
Location of waymark:
1212 North Center
Mesa, AZ USA
Commemoration: RAF cadets who died training here during WW II
Date of Dedication: Not listed
Access times: Not listed
Website for Waymark: Not listed
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