Wayland Prison War Memorial

The Veterans in Custody programme at HM Prison Wayland has recently completed the installation of a War Memorial to remember the history of former RAF Watton which is where the prison is now situated.

The Memorial consists of a propellor blade from a Wellington Bomber with an engraved plaque describing the history of both the RAF and USAAF who were operational at RAF Watton during WW2 and was unveiled by General Lord Richard Dannatt, Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk. Donated by the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, the Gardens Team, Staff and Prisoners took the conscious effort to preserve the propellor it in its current condition and built the foundation over several months.

As USAAF Base 376, RAF Watton was occupied by the USAF from Images courtesy of Wayland Prison

1943 as the 25th Bombardment Group with the addition of the 3rd Strategic Air Depot to undertake the major overhaul

Pictured above are: Steve Garvie (left), Deputy Governor, Lord Dannatt (centre) and Dan Ackroyd (right) and repair of Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bombers alongside at an area referred to as Neaton. These early days of RAF Watton closely resemble those of RAF Honington built at the same time in 1937 which was also used by the USAAF from 1942 as USAAF Base 375 with an area referred to separately as Troston used by the 1st Strategic Air Depot repairing B-17 Flying Fortresses. Base 375 saw the arrival of the 364th Fighter Group with P-38 Lightnings and subsequently P-51 Mustangs from 1944.

Matt ‘Dan’ Ackroyd a former RAF Regiment Gunner, leads the Veterans in Custody team at Wayland Prison providing support and guidance to servicemen in prison and he works alongside military charities including SSAFA, Care after Combat, and Outside the Wire to ensure they have the care and support needed before their release from custody.

The Chair of the Association of the RAF Regiment Warrant Officers and SNCOs, Warrant Officer Mac MacDonald, and Secretary former Warrant Officer John Lynch parade the Association Standard.