New plaque to be unveiled at Hinckley war memorial

The plaque is being installed in memory of the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, the American unit that called Hinckley their home from April to September 1944. 
  
The memorial is part of a national project spearheaded by Mission 82 who have set out to build three memorials in England to coincide with the 82nd anniversary of the 82nd Airborne Division being stationed in England during WWII. Ten men remembered by these memorials were all killed in accidents or died during their time stationed in England. 
  
The unveiling will coincide with the anniversary of PFC John E. Davey’s death on 7 May 1944 during a practice parachute jump in Leicestershire. It will also honour his colleagues, T/4 Alfred A. Ranio and Pvt Richard E. Duncan, as well as the entire 376th PFAB. 
  
An unveiling ceremony will take place from 10:45am until 11:30am and will be free for all to attend. After the unveiling, a special edition of Music in the Mead will pay tribute to the battalion, with live performances from Julie Sings and Rob Wilson between 1pm and 3pm. 
  
Representatives from veterans’ associations, members of the church and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will be in attendance. 
  
Ian Walker of the Royal British Legion, Hinckley said: “It is important we honour the huge sacrifice these servicemen made for us all so I am proud that Hinckley Royal British Legion has been able to work with Darren Bond of Mission 82 who has worked tirelessly to install memorials like this to remember the ten fallen men of the 82nd Airborne battalion. My thanks also to the Borough Council who have sponsored the memorial stone. I hope as many people as possible will be able to join us for this truly international event.” 
  
Cllr Mark Bools, Deputy Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Executive Member for Culture, said: “I invite everyone to come down to the war memorial for the plaque unveiling. It will be a poignant moment as we remember the American servicemen who made Hinckley proud during their time here.” 
  
Cllr Paul Williams, Heritage Champion at the Borough Council, said: “It is so important that we honour our local history in Hinckley and Bosworth.  
  
“The town is proud to have played home to 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion towards the end of the Second World War and I am pleased we are able to pay tribute to them more than 80 years later.”