Within the church, in the front left-hand corner of the nave.

A carved oak wood altar and reredos. Upon the altar, surmounted by a wooden cross, and within a glazed, wooden cabinet, is a book of remembrance for the 385th Heavy Bombardment Group. The book is blue and leather bounded while the wooden cabinet has a glass front. On the right-hand side of the reredos, is the commemoration message inscription in English and carved lettering. The memorials commemorate the men of the 385^th BG who gave their lives during 1942-45.

The 385th Bomber Group, 550th Bomber Squadron of the Eighth Air Force was based at Station 155, Great Ashfield, England. It was known as ‘Van’s Valiants’ after their first Commanding Officer, Colonel Elliott Vandevanter. The 385th BG operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until the war ended, striking such targets as industrial areas, air bases, oil refineries, and communications centers in Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing an aircraft factory at Regensburg on 17 August 1943, after a long hazardous flight over enemy territory.

Source of information: Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register, www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk, http://www.suffolkvillage.info

Source of images:www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk

Front cover of the book:

+ J.H.S.

IN MEMORIAM.

___________

THE OFFICERS & MEN

BELONGING TO

385TH HEAVY BOMBARDMENT GROUP

8^TH U.S.A.A.F.

WHO MADE THE GREAT SACRIFICE,

2ND WORLD WAR

A.D. 1942-1945.

Inscription on the reredos:

IN MEMORIAM

_____

DEDICATED

TO THE

EVERLASTING MEMORY

OF THE

OFFICERS AND MEN

OF THE

385TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP

8TH AIR FORCE

US ARMY

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES

IN HEROIC SACRIFICE

AND

UNSELFISH DEVOTION

TO DUTY

_____

WORLD WAR II

· MCMXLV·