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City honours WWII plane rescuers City honours WWII plane rescuers
(about 2 hours later)
People who rescued three RAF officers from a burning plane when it crashed-landed in a Bristol park during World War II are to be honoured. People who rescued three RAF officers from a burning plane when it crashed-landed in a Bristol park during World War II have been honoured.
Relatives of those who risked their lives to save the crew of the Wellington bomber will be at the service in St Andrews Park. Relatives of those who risked their lives to save the crew of the Wellington bomber were at the service in St Andrews Park.
The crash, on 30 April 1941, was kept secret for national security reasons.The crash, on 30 April 1941, was kept secret for national security reasons.
The memorial service, at 1230 BST, marks the first official acknowledgement of what happened. The memorial service, at 1230 BST, marked the first official acknowledgement of what happened.
Three of the six crew on the Wellington bomber were killed in the crash although the pilot, Hugh Houghton, now 88, survived.Three of the six crew on the Wellington bomber were killed in the crash although the pilot, Hugh Houghton, now 88, survived.
The matter went unreported at the time in order not to lower the morale of the public.The matter went unreported at the time in order not to lower the morale of the public.
Treetop slicedTreetop sliced
David Cemlyn, of the Friends of St Andrews Park, told BBC News: "We've discovered that a young probationary police officer called Bruce Westlake actually went into the burning plane and rescued John Stuart Jones.David Cemlyn, of the Friends of St Andrews Park, told BBC News: "We've discovered that a young probationary police officer called Bruce Westlake actually went into the burning plane and rescued John Stuart Jones.
"We've found Stuart Jones's family and they are coming."We've found Stuart Jones's family and they are coming.
"Pc Westlake sadly died in 1948 in a road crash but he is going to receive a commendation from the assistant chief constable and it is going to be presented to his daughter, who was born on the day he died.""Pc Westlake sadly died in 1948 in a road crash but he is going to receive a commendation from the assistant chief constable and it is going to be presented to his daughter, who was born on the day he died."
The Wellington bomber was on a training flight, although it was carrying both bombs and ammunition at the time of the crash.The Wellington bomber was on a training flight, although it was carrying both bombs and ammunition at the time of the crash.
The only evidence of the crash is a Cedar tree with its tip missingThe only evidence of the crash is a Cedar tree with its tip missing
The assumption was that the navigator lost his way before the plane struck the cable of a barrage balloon over Fishponds in Bristol.The assumption was that the navigator lost his way before the plane struck the cable of a barrage balloon over Fishponds in Bristol.
The cable became wrapped around a wing but the plane flew on towards St Andrews Park, losing height rapidly.The cable became wrapped around a wing but the plane flew on towards St Andrews Park, losing height rapidly.
The aircraft hit and sliced off the top off a Cedar tree which still survives, just inside the park, before the crash landing.The aircraft hit and sliced off the top off a Cedar tree which still survives, just inside the park, before the crash landing.
It finally came to rest, burning in flames, just before Sommerville Road, which intersects with Gloucester Road.It finally came to rest, burning in flames, just before Sommerville Road, which intersects with Gloucester Road.
The Friends of St Andrews Park applied for lottery funding to place the memorial on the spot where the plane came down.The Friends of St Andrews Park applied for lottery funding to place the memorial on the spot where the plane came down.
On board the flight were Pilot Officer Kenneth Guy Evans, Sgt Charles John Clarke and Sgt Thomas Leonard Lever, all of whom died.On board the flight were Pilot Officer Kenneth Guy Evans, Sgt Charles John Clarke and Sgt Thomas Leonard Lever, all of whom died.
The three survivors were Sgt Lawrence Hugh Houghton, Sgt Richard Wish and Sgt John Stuart Jones.The three survivors were Sgt Lawrence Hugh Houghton, Sgt Richard Wish and Sgt John Stuart Jones.