Gosfield villagers remember death of Colonel Wendell Kelley

At the top of Gosfield Playing Field, there is a plaque in the grass which commemorates the death of Col Wendell J Kelley of the United States Air Force 60 years ago, on January 15, 1963.

On Sunday, a number of villagers came together to remember him six decades on, laying a wreath at his memorial on the playing field and at the crash site in Halstead Road.

Ron Clampin witnessed the incident in 1963 (Image: Tony Sale)

Col Kelley was flying a Super Sabre jet fighter from the Wethersfield airbase with another pilot.

Not long after taking off the plane suffered problems with its engine and it became obvious they would have to return to base.

Villagers gather to pay their respects (Image: Tony Sale)

About 20 miles from Wethersfield, Col Kelley informed his base they would probably need to eject, but kept on course, hoping to make it.

With the plane losing height, he ordered his co-pilot to eject over Greenstead Green.

He successfully parachuted down into a field not far from the crash site.

Steve Sudbury leads the service of commemoration (Image: Tony Sale)

However, Col Kelley did not eject and the plane crashed to the north of the track leading to the nature reserve off Halstead Road.

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His body was found a little distance from the debris and separate from his ejector seat, suggesting he tried to eject at the last minute, but was too late.

Chair of Gosfield Parish Council Tricia Edwards reads a message from Col Kelley's relatives in the USA (Image: Tony Sale)

Col Kelley had fought in the Second World War and had a distinguished flying career. He was just 42 when he died.

Gosfield resident Steve Sudbury was in the primary school nearby at the time of the crash, aged ten.

Residents walk from the memorial to the crash site (Image: Tony Sale)

He said: "It was widely believed at the time that Col Kelley stayed with the plane to avoid hitting the primary school which was more or less in the direct line of the course of the plane.

"He certainly knew the village well as he opened a fete in Gosfield and in 1962 laid the foundation stone for the old pavilion and would be aware where the primary school was.

Gosfield Beavers and Cubs watch on (Image: Tony Sale)

"Others have suggested he might have been hoping to reach Gosfield airfield where the runways were still intact and which was only a short distance away.

Prim Rayner and Judy Patterson deliver a bible reading and prayers (Image: Tony Sale)

"In gratitude, villagers raised money to put the plaque on the playing field to remind us of his brave action."