Memorial Details
What type of memorial is it?
Window
How would you describe the memorial and its ornamentation?
Stained-glassed window with a forward-facing angel in the upper-centre of the window with blue wings spread out. In front of the angel is a US servicemen kneeling at the base of the angel.
In the background, under the angel's wings, there are a couple of planes landed in some green fields as well as some buildings nearby.
Nearby Elveden Hall was the headquarters of the USAAF Third Air Division.
Reason for status change (if applicable/optional)
18.04.2022 JMB: Image being displayed with incorrect orientation, corrected. Some dates and references added. ### Changed District from West Suffolk to Forest Heath. SF.
Location
Has this memorial been lost?
No
Location
Location
Is this the memorial's current location?
Yes
Building No
33
Building Name
Church of St Andrew and St Patrick
Street
London Road
Town
Elveden
District
Forest Heath
County
Suffolk
Country
England
Postcode
IP24 3TW
OS map ref
TL 82283 79942

United States Third Air Division Location

Commemoration
What words are inscribed on the memorial?
IN HONOR & MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS OF/ THE UNITED STATES THIRD AIR DIVISION/ WHO BASED ON BRITAIN FELL WHILE ON AIR/ OPERATIONS IN THE CAUSE OF WORLD FREEDOM, 1942 (crest, probably of US Third Air Division, motto "MUNDIS LIBRIS") 1945
War
How many names are listed in total?
0
Which war or group does the memorial commemorate?
Second World War (1939-1945)
Is the total an exact count?
No
Of the names listed, how many served and returned?
0
Of the names listed, how many died?
0
What information is listed for those commemorated?
N/A
How is this information ordered?
N/A
Please include any additional information here
Only an inscription
Condition
Is the writing on the memorial difficult to read?
Yes
Components
Component Details
Which memorial component are you recording?
Window
What condition is this component in?
Good
What materials has this component been constructed from?
Stained Glass
Listing Information
Does it have listed status?
Yes
If yes, which organisation listed it?
Historic England
What grade is it listed at?
II
What is the listing reference?
1192876
Please include any additional listing information here
St Andrew and St Patrick Church as a whole, not just the window
History
Memorial Cost
Additional information related to cost or sponsorship
Presented by the 3rd Bombing Division, U.S. Army Air Force
Additional Notes
Additional general notes on the memorial
The Rector read a letter signed by all the Generals who were stationed at Elveden.
Maker
Maker
Person or organisation involved in the making of the memorial
Commander Hugh Easton, Royal Navy
What role did they have in the making?
Creator
Ceremony
Ceremony
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Unveiled
When did it take place?
8th January 1947
Who was present?
Major-General Clayton Bissel, G.S.C., Military and Air Attaché at the American Embassy
Ceremony
What was the purpose of the ceremony?
Dedicated
When did it take place?
8th January 1947
Who was present?
Rector of Elveden, Rev. Colin Cameron. Bishop of Dunwich (deputising for the Bishop of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich), Rev. J. A. Jagoe, Chaplain-in-Chief, Royal Air Force and Hon. Chaplain to H.M. the King.
References
References
Bury Free Press - Friday 10 January 1947
An American Airman Kneels At The Foot Of An Angel With Outspread Wings...
Beautiful Memorial Window Unveiled in Elveden Church.
Illustrated London News - Saturday 11 January 1947
IN BRITAIN TO-DAY: A SURVEY OF RECENT EVENTS AND NEWS ITEMS.
Suffolk and Essex Free Press - Thursday 23 January 1947
Social And Personal
A group of U.S. Air Force officers who served in England during the war have left Wiesbaden to dedicate a memorial window at Elveden Church, West Suffolk, It is expected that Major-General Clayton Bissel, U.S. Military Attaché in London will head the Americans at the ceremony
Historic England, 'Church of St Andrew and St Patrick', 15 Nov. 2021, available at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1192876.
Suffolk Churches, 'St Andrew and St Patrick, Elveden', 15 Nov. 2021, available at: http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/elveden.htm
Image(s)
Memorial Image
Media ID
137152
St Andrew and St Patrick's Church Window Memorial - Angel Shelters American Airman.
Priority
0
What is the image's caption?
St Andrew and St Patrick's Church Window Memorial - Angel Shelters American Airman.
Copyright Statement
Copyright John Bastock
Who is it credited to?
John Bastock
Date Taken
22/09/2021
Who took or provided this image?
John Bastock
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
151882
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
2_st_andrew_and_st_patricks_church_elveden_john_bastock_11_november_2021a.jpg
Media Image Height
3620
Media Image Width
3331
Media ID
126046
St Andrew and St Patrick's Church Window Memorial - Angel Shelters American Airman
Priority
1
What is the image's caption?
St Andrew and St Patrick's Church Window Memorial - Angel Shelters American Airman
Copyright Statement
Copyright John Bastock
Who is it credited to?
John Bastock
Date Taken
11 November 2021
Who took or provided this image?
John Bastock
What is its licence type?
Standard WMA terms
Reference
139226
Is this image evidence of inscribed names?
✖
Media Filename
2_st_andrew_and_st_patricks_church_elveden_john_bastock_11_november_2021.jpg
Media Image Height
3888
Media Image Width
5184