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Elvington Air Museum Rachel Semlyen regularly used the old airfield at Elvington to excersise her dog. Like most war time airfields Elvington, near York had been abandoned to nature once hostilities ceased. The buildings had fallen into disrepair and the once home of the famous 77 squadron was almost buried in the undergrowth. Saddened by the sight of the old forlorn control tower which was earmarked for demolition along with the adjacent derelict buildings, Rachel came to a sudden decision. “Because it had played its part in history, and because so many of our brave young airmen gave their lives to preserve our freedom, I decided to try and preserve the site as authentically as possible as a lasting memorial and living museum.” Rachel was working as a City of York Press Officer based at the Department of Tourism which had opened several major exhibition sites including the National Railway and the Jorvik museums. “The potential of Elvington as an air museum seemed obvious, especially as Yorkshire was one of the few counties without one.” But it was one thing having a good idea, quite another in bringing it to fruition. But undeterred Rachel went to see Mr Jack Birch, a former Lord Mayor of York and chairman of Wm Birch & Sons the company that owned the site. Birch was not alone in his scepticism, but he gave her three months to come up with a plan to save the base. Supported by her husband Tony, and Squadron Leader Ian Wormald, she set about recruiting like minded volunteers. “It was vital that we set the project up on a firm foundation so we followed the guidelines set out by the Independent Museums Association, and created a company limited by guaranteee with charitable status.” Then came the important bit - raising the money for developing and converting the buildings. Looking back Rachel says it was a case of writing hundreds of letters seeking sponsorship and financial support. “We had to develop contacts wherever we could, especially in Canada and France whose aircrews were stationed at Elvington.” The three months grace given by Jack Birch was extended to a year and Rachel was able to negotiate a ten year contract with the company to develop and rent the site at a nominal rent and with an option to purchase the land at a fixed price thereafter. This was taken up in 1993, thus securing the future of the museum. Today the museum has 1000 members and 250 volunteers who undertake every aspect of running this impressive record of Elvington’s role in war time. But as museum director Ian Reed points out, the museum is a living memorial to all the Allied Air Forces who operated from Yorkshire during the second world war, and particularly to the thousands of young people who gave their lives in that conflict. It is a sobering though that an air gunner’s life expectancy in those days was as little as two weeks, and 20,000 of them lost their lives during World War Two. During 1943 the 77 squadron suffered heavy losses, particularly against strongly defended Berlin and by the end of hostilities they had lost almost eighty Halifaxes and almost nine hundred aircrew were killed or taken prisoner. In May 1944, Elvington became host to a French Squadron and a memorial was erected in the village to commemorate those French aircrew who lost their lives. After the French had returned to Bordeaux in 1945, Elvington formed part of the expansion programme of the US Strategic Air Command and the main runway was extended to 1.92 miles (to become the longest in the North of England) and capable of accepting the latest jet bombers. The base however never became operational and after it had been used as a relief landing ground for the RAF flying schools at Church Fenton and Linton-on-Ouse, Elvington was finally closed in 1992. The Yorkshire Museum opened its doors for the first time in May 1986. As publicity Officer Ian Richardson points out, the museum is self funding and depends on its core of volunteers who undertake all manner of work, from rebuilding and refurbishing old aircraft, to acting as guides, helping with maintenance, or manning the souvenir shop. It has members from all over the world, and has a thriving Canadian branch. Appropriately the main hanger is a Canadian Memorial, and was officially opened by The High Commissioner of Canada four years ago. The memorial wall is built with bricks purchased by supporters, and bear the name of each donor. The show stopper here, is undoubtedly the Halifax “Friday the 13th” bomber. Standing along side, is one of the very few examples of a De Havilland Mosquito which is undergoing refurbishment. In contrast, are the sleek and colorful aircraft of recent times and outside on the aircraft park is the overpowering sight of a V-bomber. Visitors can take in 21 different displays and even enjoy refreshments in the NAFFI.
Above - Elvington’s authentic control tower even down to the packet of woodbines and the 1940’s Picture Post magazine. The reconstruction of our Halifax and Mosquito were other highlights and it has been a privilege to get to know so many ex-service men and women. Above all this it is wonderful to see the museum expanding every year and attracting so many visitors and young families every day.” This
article appeared in the November 2000 edition of Now & Then Magazine |
