1LT Arthur L. Brown Memorial
Details:
On the east side of the road behind the houses.
A right trapezoidal stone marker also serves as a headstone, inscribed in English text and is surrounded by metal railings, set in a paved area. On the left side of the marker is another plaque by the Chesire Regiment Association.
1LT Brown's plane crashed on the outskirts of Nantwich on January 14, 1944. His plane dived into soft ground and completely buried itself. It has been reported that because of this it was impossible to recover 1st Lt Brown's body or his plane. His body lies with the wreckage of his plane, which is still in the crater it created. It was always said that he died a hero flying his plane away from the town to avoid buildings. Newer information suggested anoxia (not enough oxygen in his body tissues) may have caused him to black out and the crash site was a matter of luck. But he remains a hero as he was there helping Britain with the war effort.
He is commemorated by this memorial on the spot where his aircraft fell to earth. A special service is held for him every year, on the Sunday nearest to January 14, the anniversary of his death in 1944.
Source of info: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, http://www.dabbersnantwich.me.uk, http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk, www.findagrave.com
Source of image: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk
Monument Text:
Marker:
HERE LIES 1ST LIEUTENANT
ARTHUR L. BROWN
U. S. A. A. F
AGED 23 YEARS
OF NEW YORK
WHO CRASHED
IN HIS THUNDERBOLT
TO AVOID THIS TOWN
JAN 14TH 1944
WITH SYMPATHY AND RESPECT
Plaque:
THIS IS A CONSECRATED AREA
MAINTAINED BY THE
CHESIRE REGIMENT
ASSOCIATION
(NANTWICH BRANCH)
PLEASE TREAT WITH RESPECT
THANK YOU