Mark Rankine recounts the story of Mosquito NF XVII HK 304, a night fighter plane converted from a regular Mosquito. Built in 1943, it saw action in various squadrons before its final posting at 51 OTU in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. On February 24, 1945, during a training exercise, the plane crashed in Flitwick, killing pilots Jack Bonnewit and John Moncaster. Rankine's research, inspired by the pilot's mother's distress, led to a memorial campaign that raised £3,000 and unveiled a memorial by Fiona Rogers, daughter of Air Commodore Ted Sismore. The campaign also supported various charities and local projects.
Mark Rankine was born in 1972 in Bedford, and has lived in the local area since 1978.
Ampthill Past Memories is a podcast series from the Ampthill and District Preservation Society.
Long-standing residents of Ampthill and around, have recorded their memories of Ampthill Past giving a unique insight into their personal and working lives of several decades ago. The interviews conjure up a fabulous picture of how Ampthill used to be and highlights some of the interesting goings on and colourful characters that used to reside in the area. If you would like to be involved and help us continue to preserve Ampthill’s historic past, email ampthillpastmemories@gmail.com or go to the Ampthill and District Preservation Society website for further information.
