Commemoration of 1953 Floods tragedy held in Hunstanton

A commemoration of the 1953 Floods that took so many lives along the West Norfolk coastline was held in Hunstanton on Wednesday.

Town Mayor Michael Ruston welcomed invited guests to the service, held at the memorial on Reis Leming Way.

It was a low-key affair, compared with last year, when the 70th anniversary drew in people from as far away as the United States, including Alex Kilpatrick, the son of USAF Sergeant Freeman A Kilpatrick, who was awarded the George Medal in 1953, along with the better-known hero of the Floods, the late USAF Airman Reis Leming.

The Mayor reminded the assembled gathering that 71 years ago, the day had probably started out "much like today" with no indication that it would end in a disaster, described as the worst to occur in peacetime.

He then went on to describe what it must have been like for those living in flimsy dwellings when the tidal surge broke through sea defences, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

The Mayor concluded by pointing out that 31 people lost their lives in Hunstanton that evening, 15 local people and 16 American family members who were living off base in wooden homes "but the death toll could have been a lot higher if it were not for the brave emergency services, voluntary organisations, churches and a number of individuals, including volunteer rescuers from the USAF 67th Air Rescue Squadron stationed at RAF Sculthorpe who came to the aid of the stranded people”.

A moment's silence was then held to thank those who risked their own lives to save others, and to pay tribute to, and remember, those 31 souls who sadly lost their lives that night.

The Reverend James Monroe added a few words and gave the blessing.

In recognition of the vital role played by USAF personnel 71 years ago, Hunstanton Town Council had invited Lt Col Michael Bien, Commander of the 67th Squadron (now renamed the 67th Special Operations Squadron and based at RAF Mildenhall) to send representatives to the event. Four uniformed members of his Squadron attended.

Those who lost their lives:

Locals – Fredrich Axford, Mabel Axford, Kathleen Coates, William Driver, Florence Driver, Samuel Hurling, Dorothy Hurling, Phyllis Papworth, Patricia Papworth, Jennifer Papworth, Susan Papworth, Ethel Southwell, William Stubbins, Derek Stubbins, Majorie Stubbins; Americans – Bernard Bailey, Agnes Bailey, Pamela Bailey, Herbert Branch, Gladys Branch, Herbert Branch Jr, Sandra Branch, Maynard Martin, Dorothy V Martin, Russell Martin, Dorothy Martin, Russell Martin Jr, John Martin, Rose Richardson, Joseph Richardson, James Richardson.