During April we were delighted to welcome American families who visited the church and the village under the auspices of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in America, very professionally and sensitively led by the Educational Tour Director, Mark Copeland.  Our visitors spent a peaceful time looking round the church and the graveyard in warm Spring sunshine.    They paused for a while at the Memorial Chapel with its beautiful window, recalling the sacrifice made by over 900 American servicemen between 1943 and 1945.  The memorial window dedicated to them is the oldest 8th Air Force memorial in Britain.

The 96th suffered the second highest loss rate of the 8th Army Air Force and the highest in the Third Division.  Altogether the 96th flew 321 missions, lost 190 aircraft and 938 airmen.    The chapel was dedicated in November 1944 with the sanctuary lamp being donated by a former officer.

We are so grateful to Mark for bringing these families to Quidenham.    Their presence brings to life the stories of extraordinary sacrifices which young (sometimes very young) members of the American armed forces made to help Britain.  We also enjoyed comparing experiences with this very interesting group of visitors.