Memorial for WW2 female pilot who died averting village crash
A Gloucestershire Special Police Sergeant witnessed the tragedy, which took place shortly after the Wellington Bomber had been repaired. RAF Air Cadet Sergeant Bailea Harrison, from 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron, told the BBC last year she had been "heartbroken" when she discovered no mention of the pilot alongside the names of male counterparts at Little Rissington's church.Sgt Harrison said: "Women were discriminated against heavily [in the 1940s]. I want to do something about that because it did upset me a lot to see no mention of her at all, anywhere."The unveiling of the memorial, which Sgt Harrison raised money for through crowdfunding, was attended by family members, military veterans, serving military, and cadets.A spokesperson for the 136 Squadron Air Cadets said a memorial to a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary was "extremely rare, especially to a female member, as only 15 died in wartime service".
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