Hailed as a hero in his native Canada, Andrew Mynarski VC, was almost unknown to the people now living close to his wartime base and the millions of passengers who now fly from the same runways. 60 years on from the night he gave his life in trying to save his friend, a small group of people decided that this injustice should be corrected.
Middleton House Productions followed the project as the children of Middleton St George Primary School as they dedicated much of their time to learning about what life would have been like at their local airfield during the war years
This film follows the sculptor Keith Maddison as he worked on the statue, records the educational activities and art projects undertaken by the children, plus interviews with veterans of 419 Squadron. The cameras were there on the 4th of June at the emotional ceremony when the statue was unveiled and one of the last remaining Lancasters made an unforgettable flypast.
A Selection of Screen shots
As the Ju88 attacked the Lancaster, two engines caught fire. |
The rear gunner Pat Brophy was trapped in his turret. |
The desperate attempt to free Brophy from his turret. |
Mynarski Salutes his friend before jumping from the blazing aircraft. |
The school children learn about the statue. |
Learning about Second World War parachutes. |
Keith Maddison working on the clay sculpture. |
The bronze statue takes shape. |
The statue is revealed. |
Betty Amlin places a rose at the foot of the statue moments after it has been unveiled. |
Pat Brophy's daughter Colleen answers the children's questions about her father. |
Len McGaughey, Canadian veteran of 419 Sqd. relates his experiences. |
This incredibly moving DVD, including a dramatic reconstruction of the night Mynarski's VC was won is now available.