WWII Museum - 493bg Debach - American 8th Army Air Force!!!
WWII Museum - 493bg Debach - American 8th Army Air Force

Testimonials
Visits to Debach

Good evening,
Would you please pass onto Prilly my thanks for looking after us so royally yesterday.
I bought along my grand-daughter Lily and her friend George from Kyson School. They are both working on a WW2 project and living locally have decided that the airfield at Debach would make a great subject.
I was thrilled at the red carpet treatment we were given both by Prilly and volunteer Roger. To give us so much time was brilliant and I know the two youngsters loved it. They had visited the airfield recently with the school but to have such personal one to one treatment was fabulous.
As little George remarked to Prilly....."it's the best museum ever" and later to me "my Christmas has come early."
I was blown away too ! What a superb recreation you have made. I loved it!
MANY, MANY THANKS FROM US ALL!
Kindest Regards,
Derek
Subject: Re: Visit to Debach
Darren,
We are back safe and continuing to try to absorb our deeply meaningful experiences at Debach, both sobering and celebratory. We appreciate so much your efforts with Helen to give us a personal tour-- it made it so much more meaningful to hear your descriptions and the stories. Please share our gratitude with the others that have worked so hard to bring the base back to life. I also think the mannequins, especially in the control tower, give one a feeling of time travel to the actual scene.
I'm sending separately a link to Howard's war memoirs with the missing, more personal last few pages added as you requested, ending with his being reunited with our mother Carol. Also attaching my notes on recollections of our tour with you, capturing only a small percentage of what you related I'm sure.
If you have noted down any inaccuracies in Howard's piece, they might be good to have at some point in case we go to a reunion or share it with others.
Thanks again for your work and for the great tour!
John and Patty Clement, Barbara Morrell

Subject: Thank you
Richard,
On behalf of my group can I say a very heart felt thank you for allowing us to visit Debach museum today. With a special thank you to Brian and your wife for giving us so much of their precious time and knowledge.
We were all extremely impressed by what you have achieved and indeed the warm welcome that we received.
I feel certain that many of the group, if not all, will return for a further visit in the not to distant future.
Thank you once more,


Tony Howes
Subject: Visit Wednesday 25th
Hi,
Just a line to thank you for your hospitality and kindnesses when I visited your airfield. I was part of the party from a church in Beccles. I was very impressed by all of the exhibits and the enthusiasm of all the volunteers. It was an eye opening and thought provoking experience. What a lot we owe to those boys, God bless them.
I hope that the bank holiday was the success that you all deserved.

Sincerely,
David Johnson.
Dear Mr and Mrs Taylor,
I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful afternoon last Wednesday, when you were so kind as to let us have a visit around your amazing museum. I cannot begin to tell you how very enjoyable it was, so enlightening as you know your subject so well, and put across to us with such enthusiasm that it becomes like stepping back in time with such an amazing collection that you have put together.
We have been to many war sites here and in France but not one comes up to your standard....so hopefully long may it be for lots more people to enjoy.. Hopefully we will be back on one of your open days with some of our grandchildren or other friends who I am sure will be enchanted.
Thank you again for giving so much of your valuable time to us especially Prissy ( sorry if spelling is incorrect) and for those wonderful warming cups of coffee and tea and that yummy stollen. Just goes to show even whatever the weather throws at you in dear old England it cannot spoil such a magic treat to see.
With many thanks
Tony and Annie
Leicestershire.
Richard
Thank you and your wife plus the enthusiastic gentleman who guided us around building 10 for making us so welcome last Wednesday in the rain . I think that what you have there is amazing as a memorial to the Americans stationed there . Later that night I was having a drink by myself in the lounge of the Wentworth Hotel when I was joined by a gentleman and his partner . We got chatting and he introduced himself as Martin Sheldrick a farmer who owned the airfield at Fowlmere which was a satellite of Duxford at the time of the Battle of Britain and later by Mustangs of the American 8th A F. What a coincidence meeting two farmers who farmed American WW.2 airfields on the same day ! . Many thanks to you all .
Peter
Hi Richard
Many thanks for allowing us to visit the museum. It was a pleasure to meet your wife and Brian our guide was very helpful and informative. Surprisingly even my wife found it most interesting - you certainly have a wonderful collection of original items and all are well presented and tell a fascinating story. I will certainly recommend it to any friends who are visiting the area and wish you all the very best for the future. Also thanks to the guy in the orange overall who was working on the vehicles - he was just so enthusiastic I could have stayed all afternoon.
Kind regards
Lynn & Tony
To: Darren Jelley Subject: Re: Visit to Debach Museum
These (photographs) are wonderful, I am forwarding to my sisters and children. I cannot possibly thank you enough for yesterday, We will always cherish that day.
Charlie & Lucy
Subject: Re: Visit to Debach Museum
I am looking forward to getting home, printing all of this out and studying. We are so grateful for your hospitality and help, as well as all of the hard work you and your colleagues have done. I know my Dad and the others would be honored and touched by the generosity and care you all have shown.
Charlie
Hi Richard
Just a quick email to thank you for hosting the open day again. We really missed it in 2008, and despite the weather trying hard to spoil thing this year, we once again had a fantastic time. I don't know if you realise what a special event this is?
It has an atmosphere that is unique compared to the many other events I attend, and it has to be the highlight of the year for me. I think it's a combination of the historic location, the growing museum, the vehicle static display but also with the opportunity to drive, the dance, a few traders, sometimes a flypast or two. It has something for everyone, and best of all, it's a relaxed and very friendly atmosphere.
I realise that there must be a great deal of work behind the scenes to make the event happen, but I do hope that you will run it again next year. The fact that people are prepared to travel such long distances ( us from the north, Wyn from Wales ) goes to show how much it means to people.
Regards
Steve
Subject: Visit Wednesday 25th
Hi,
Just a line to thank you for your hospitality and kindnesses when I visited your airfield. I was part of the party from a church in Beccles. I was very impressed by all of the exhibits and the enthusiasm of all the volunteers. It was an eye opening and thought provoking experience. What a lot we owe to those boys, God bless them.
I hope that the bank holiday was the success that you all deserved.
Sincerely,
David Johnson.
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