The people

The best part of the Fly-In was the people. From the large turnout to the honored guest and visitors from out of town.

Above is former Terrell Mayor and student at the old BFTS Henry Madgwick talking to two of the Marine color guard. The lady with her back to the camera was a visitor from Canada. She gave everyone a good laugh when she asked the Marines what Corps they belong to.


The gentlemen standing in the above photo along with the man sitting in the front row in blue shirt and hat were all students of the school during the war. They all made the trip for the Fly-In.

I really wish I had written down names! This is Mr. Madgwick and a retired General who ordered the posting of the colors.

Active duty British officers were on hand. I think they were Leftenents. Does that sound right?


Above is Harold Payne from Caddo Mills, TX., he was a pilot on a B-17 Flaming Fortress. He didn't attend the Terrell school, but was stationed in Franlingham, England in 44-45. He had some great stories to tell. Here he is talking to members of the Marine League.

Of course our Mayor was on hand. Mayor Hal Richards gave a few opening remarks and mentioned that the idea has been floated to make the Fly-In an annual event. I think that's a great idea.

Tomorrow I will end the series, and quit boring everyone, with a Skywatch photo from the day.

British pilots at rest

19 RAF pilots died during air training in Terrell. They are buried at Oakland Memorial Park in Terrell.

The bottom of the marker is a portion of "The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke

IF I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

The Royal Air Force in Texas Fly-in

I want to thank everyone for the nice comments over the last few days. Seeing off the soldiers means a lot. The City promised to be back out there when they return, and I will be there too.

Instead of posting a picture today, I am putting up a poster and a link on my sidebar.

One of the unique things about Terrell is the #1 British Flying Training School Museum. During WWII Terrell hosted one of six British Flying Training Schools. Thousands of British and American aviators learned how to fly in Terrell.

In February, I toured the Museum and posted a few pictures. This October, #1 BFTS Museum will host The Royal Air Force in Texas Fly-in. The fly-in will be a two day event that will bring veterans of the school back to Terrell for a reunion and an opportunity for the citizens of Terrell to learn about the museum and Terrells role in WWII. Go ahead and mark October 17th and 18th on your calendar, save your dollars and pounds and join us in Terrell.

Be sure to check out the link on the right for all of the details of the fly-in.

Be sure to also visit this site. Its a site dedicated to James Edward Castleman of Bogata, Texas who was an instructor at #1BFTS during the war. It includes many photos, stories, and memories.