- The Fylde Spitfire Memorial
- Remembering Aircrew
- Sergeant Alan Lever Ridings
- Spitfire BS435 - F-FY - Hugo Armstrong
- Flt Lt Peter G Brearley D.F.C
The Fylde Spitfire Memorial
The Fylde Spitfire Memorial Fund was set up initially by the Fylde Borough Council Leader John Coombes. The fund aims to raise a total of £60,000 for the scheme which will see the replica Mark VB Spitfire W3644 suspended proudly above a mosaic of a Wellington Bomber in recognition of both Fighter and Bomber Command, dependent on the funds raised the three aircraft scheme may become a later project.
The first aircraft to be built will be the Lytham St. Annes Spitfire W3644. The replica will be exact in every detail as the original aircraft carrying the 19 Squadron RAF markings and the name of Lytham St. Annes.
The Mark Vb Spitfire W3644 was shot down by a FW190 whilst escorting Boston’s on a bombing mission of Morlaix, France. The mission began over Start Point, Devon and once hit, the Spitfire crashed into the sea - the date June 23rd 1942. We hope to add more information to this site as we collect it.
Pilot's Sister Found in Bingley
After almost 18 months of searching and following a concerted media campaign across Greater Manchester we traced the last living relating of the Pilot of Spitfire W3644 Lytham St Annes. Articles published in the local papers in Heywood and Middleton, the birth place of Sgt Alan Leaver Ridings have lead us to the door of his 86 year old sister Mrs Joan Selka whom now lives in Bingley in Yorkshire.
In Autumn 2009 John travelled across the border to Yorkshire to meet Joan, following an intial telephone call. During the visits John met with Joan, Alan's sister and Anne his niece. Stories and pictures of Alan's time in the RAF were exchanged and Joan said “she was moved and delighted that the people of Lytham St Annes are planning a lasting tribute to her brother” who sadly was killed at the age of just 20 when he was shot down over France. Anne and her family has very little knowledge of the story and were also thrilled with the project. Sadly Joan passed away in August 2010.
John Coombes, Fund Chairman, said “it was a moving experience to speak with Joan after all this time of searching as she had no idea of W3644 and of our campaign to raise funds for the replica aircraft which will now include her brothers details, she was over the moon, the family's links to Lytham St Annes made the whole story even more amazing.”
Joan was contacted by a former neighbour who heard the story on Greater Manchester Radio and got in touch with the media. We have included details about Alans career on the site and would be delighted to hear from other Lancashire families who can provide similar information relating to their relatives.