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Thanks to community support – including both a local manufacturer and a galvanizing firm – a commemorative plaque will take pride of place at Lavenham Airfield.

Suffolk-based and family-run Jordan Engineering, who build small seed drills for conservation work, was commissioned to fabricate a plaque to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the arrival of the 487th Bomb Group in Lavenham.

Their Owner, Jerv Jordan, said: “The ‘Friends of Lavenham Airfield’ recently got in touch asking for our support ahead of the 80th anniversary. We were all too happy to help, and designed a commemorative plaque replicating the tail fin of a B24 Liberator with the Lavenham ‘P’ marker included too.

“It took around five days to fabricate – the majority of which was ‘thinking time’ to ensure it was a fitting commemoration for this 80th milestone. In total, around 15 kgs of steel was used, consisting of an outer frame which was rolled out of 22mm tube, some steel lengths around 600mm for the legs, and 5mm plate profiles cut out on our CNC Plasma Cutter for the lettering and detail plaque mount.”

After design was complete, the plaque was then transported to Acrow Galvanizing to be immersed in a bath of molten zinc at temperatures around 450C to allow for a metallurgically-bonded coating to be formed, which would protect it from rust and corrosion for more than 70 years.

“It was a real pleasure to work with Acrow Galvanizing once again,” Jerv continued. “Several years ago, we used to fabricate small trailers which we’d regularly take to their old Saffron Walden site for galvanizing.

“The whole team always was (and still are) brilliant, helpful, and efficient. In fact, their personable and friendly approach is one of the main reasons I choose to collaborate with them time and again. Back then, I had a Golden Spaniel (Freddie), who always came to work with me, and as soon as I’d enter the yard, their forklift driver, Mick Rusling (Ruzza), would climb into the truck for a cuddle with Fred before unloading the trailer. What a reception! Truly, why would I go anywhere else?”

Mark Endsleigh, Commercial Support Manager at Acrow Galvanizing Ltd, added: “At Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, we’re always eager to support and collaborate with our local communities. Jerv contacted us about this particular project and we were eager to be involved – excited to mark such a poignant part of our local history and heritage, and keen to ensure that this commemorative plaque remains fit-for-purpose for generations.”

The plaque was officially unveiled at the 487th Bomb Group Memorial Day on Sunday 26th May 2024, underneath a commemorative oak tree. The event was a remembrance and rededication to those who lost their lives whilst serving at USAAF Station 137 in World War 2, and was attended by the three sons of a 487th Bomb Group Ground Officer and the daughter of an Aircraft Radio Operator.

By Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd

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