Welcome to Downham Market Airfield Cairn Memorial Website
The airfield memorial stands as a cherished tribute to the brave servicemen and women who served at RAF Downham Market, a pivotal Royal Air Force Bomber Station from July 1942 to September 1945.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed and continues to give their help and support to this memorial project, as your ongoing support encourages others to join and sustain this effort. Your Support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
Your generosity will ensure that the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, many of whom were never found, can now be remembered together at the memorial forever. This act of remembrance honours their bravery and keeps their memory alive for generations to come.
The memorial, which honours their sacrifice from 1942 to 1945, will stand as a testament to their bravery.
To everyone who has contributed through the GoFundMe page, thank you. Your ongoing kindness and support are vital in keeping this memorial alive, and I sincerely appreciate your generosity.
With this memorial, we are keeping the legacy of those who served and fought for freedom.
"We Will Remember Them"
Work on the airfield memorial's new look is still ongoing and will be finished by mid-May 2026. Please see the progress via photos as they are added.
24 March 2026 Downham Market Airfield Memorial Update
Just a heads-up: the Plaque Manufacturer has taken back the 8 Stainless Steel Losses Plaques for refurbishment and will reinstall them by the end of April 2026. Work on the memorial is ongoing and is expected to finish by mid-May 2026, that is, weather permitting!
I am making good progress and look forward to completing this important project.
Thanks to everyone, especially Albanwise Farming Ltd (landowners) and the sponsors, for supporting me in creating a new, long-term, easy-to-maintain look for the memorial. The once-large grassed earth embankment had to be removed due to maintenance issues, and it will be replaced with easy-to-maintain gravel, which will complement the new look. The Norfolk Flintstone covering has also added to the new look. Also to be included are the extra Plaques on the memorial cairn, etc.
Please note that the pre-planned unveiling & blessing ceremony linked to RAF Marham is unlikely to take place on 31 May 2026 due to unforeseen issues. We're exploring alternative dates and will keep everyone updated.
Also, my boyhood dream of seeing the Battle of Britain memorial flight (Lancaster, Spitfire, and Hurricane taking part in a flyby to salute the memorial, I'm told, will not happen! I apologise to anyone who was making plans to be there on 31 May 2026.
As soon as a confirmed date has been agreed with RAF Marham, I will announce it. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me with the memorial.
Chris Coverdale 26/03/2026