Article and images by Jonathan White
A memorial service to remember First Lieutenant Arthur Leslie Brown of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) took place at his memorial – off Shrewbridge Road in Nantwich – on Sunday 13th January 2019 (the 75th anniversary of his death).
On 14th January 1944, First Lieutenant Brown died, aged 23, when flying a Republic Thunderbolt type P-47D, which plunged into soft ground on the banks of the River Weaver, behind houses on Shrewbridge Road.
The inscription on the surface of his memorial tablet reads:
HERE LIES 1ST LIEUTENANT / ARTHUR L. BROWN / USAAF / AGED 23 YEARS / OF NEW YORK / WHO CRASHED / IN HIS THUNDERBOLT / TO AVOID THIS TOWN / JAN 14TH 1944 / WITH SYMPATHY AND RESPECT
The memorial service was led by rector of St Mary’s Church Nantwich, Rev Dr Mark Hart, and included standard bearers, the Last Post, a one minute silence, Reveille, and the laying of wreaths.
Wreaths were laid by mayor of Nantwich Cllr David Marren (Nantwich Town Council), Nantwich & District Branch of The Royal British Legion, Nantwich branch of The Cheshire Regiment, 7th South West Cheshire (Nantwich/Millfields) Scout Group and 4th Nantwich Brownies.
Previously the service has been held on Remembrance Sunday, but from this year it will be the Sunday nearest to 14th January.
