The family of an RAF pilot who sacrificed his life to ensure his stricken plane didn’t hit Spalding homes say they were ‘overawed’ after a memorial to him was unveiled 68 years to the day after the tragedy.
Pilot officer George Furniss deliberately steered Meteor III towards fields near Vernett’s Drain on September 27, 1953, losing his life.
On Monday the anniversary was marked with a special service and the unveiling of a plaque near Two Plank Bridge marking the incident.
It was attended by family members including his daughters Sheila and Gill who were just 13 months old at the time of his death.
Gill said: “We’re just a bit overawed with the generosity of the people of Spalding and the interest they’ve shown in our father.
“It’s all a little surreal, but I thought the service was amazing and the memorial is wonderful.”
“We can’t really believe how the town has embraced it and all the people who have got involved have been amazing,” added Sheila. “It’s overwhelming really.
“We’ve always been unbelievably proud of him.”
Other family members in attendance were Susan Townsend and George’s niece Carole Terry who was aged 10 when he died.
“He was very handsome and was always laughing,” Carole said of the memories of her uncle. “He was a loyal, kind and gentle man who wouldn’t have thought twice about trying to do anything he could to avoid crashing into the homes of town.”
Current members of the RAF, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Association and local councillors attended the service led by The Rev (Flt Lt) Philip Johnson, Rural Dean of Lafford and Vicar of Sleaford.
He said of George: “His courage in the face of mortal danger and self-sacrifice protected and saved the lives of many in this town.
“His bravery is not forgotten and the memorial will ensure that the memory of his selfless act will live on for generations to come.”
The memorial was created by Gary Huggins, of Holbeach, and paid for by 13 South Holland District councillors.
George’s family expressed thanks during the service to those that helped, including Geoff Taylor of Heritage South Holland, Reuben Holmes, Lynne Harrison formerly of the Lincolnshire Free Press and Philip and Jane Darley.
They also praised Coun Angela Newton who organised the event: “It was nice to finally come together to remember George and his incredible act alongside his family. The service went really well and many in Spalding helped out. I’d asked if anybody could lend us driveways to park cars and around 30 to 40 people responded to say they would,” she said.
