Visitors were welcomed to Tunbridge Wells Hospital earlier this month for the unveiling of a memorial in honour of those who flew over the hospital during wartime.

The memorial, unveiled by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain, commemorates First Lieutenant William M McDermott, an American fighter pilot whose plane crashed close to the hospital on 10 June 1944. The other pilot safely parachuted into the hospital grounds.

McDermott was flying a P-47 plane from a US Air Force base in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, while supporting Allied Forces in the D Day landings when he collided with another plane mid-air. His plane crashed close to the then Pembury Hospital which served as a vital medical facility during the war. McDermott’s body was buried at the American Cemetery in Woking, before being laid to rest at the Cambridge American Cemetery in 1948.

In November 2015, Kent Police received two reports of unexploded bombs found close to where McDermott is believed to have crashed. The discovery was investigated by Kent Police, and the bombs destroyed in controlled explosions.

Dave Pate, who retired as the Officer in charge of Kent Police, also located members of McDermott’s family, including his niece, who attended the recent memorial unveiling. The event was also attended by members of our Executive team and Armed Forces Network, and visitors from Kent Police, the United States Government and the Imperial War Museum Duxford, and the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells.

Dr Sara Mumford, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Lead for veteran awareness, said: “It was an honour to welcome everyone to Tunbridge Wells Hospital for the unveiling of our new memorial, and in particular to meet the family members of Lieutenant McDermott.

“It is important to recognise the rich history of our hospital and the role it has played in the region over many generations, including during wartime. As a Veteran Aware organisation, we are committed to supporting our armed forces community, and this new memorial is an important symbol of our respect and ongoing work in this area.”