Two Derbyshire Dales airfields are to be honoured with the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust's latest memorials
Ashbourne II (necessarily called as such, due to an earlier 1920s civil airfield of the same name) served during World War Two as a major Operational Training Unit (OTU) airfield once opened in 1942. Main unit present was No 42 OTU which operated a mixture of Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys and Albemarles to instruct glider towing crews, also seeing action during D-Day in June 1944. After the OTU disbanded shortly prior to the end of hostilities, munitions storage subsequently occurred at Ashbourne until its closure in 1954.
Darley Moor was Ashbourne’s satellite airfield throughout its life, after a delayed start opening in 1943 and surviving in similar training and ground support capacities until closing along with its parent in 1954.
The charity’s objective in this regard is to eventually commemorate each known major disused airfield in the United Kingdom with a granite memorial.
Sarah Dines MP said, ‘It is wonderful that the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust are placing memorials at both Ashbourne and Darley Moor Airfields. These airfields played an important role in our national security and it is right this is recognised. I have visited both sites on multiple occasions and this memorial will act as an important reminder of our local history. Thank you to the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust.’
