New plaque unveiled at Hinckley war memorial

The plaque was installed in memory of the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB), the American unit that called Hinckley their home from April to September 1944.

Representatives from veterans’ associations, members of the church and other local groups attended, while Deputy Mayor Cllr Cathie Gibbens led a group that represented Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council at the ceremony.

Cllr Gibbens was part of an official party that included the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur; High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Meldin Thomas; Lieutenant Colonial Sean Mahoney of the US Army and Lieutenant Colonel Matthew England of the British Army.

Several other borough councillors attended, including Deputy Leader Mark Bools and Heritage Champion Paul Williams. The councillors were joined by Honorary Alderman David Bill and the Borough Council’s chief executive Bill Cullen.

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 coincided with the anniversary of PFC John E. Davey’s death on 7 May 1944 during a practice parachute jump in Leicestershire. It also honours his colleagues, T/4 Alfred A. Ranio and Pvt Richard E. Duncan, as well as the entire 376th PFAB.

After the unveiling, a special edition of Music in the Mead paid tribute to the battalion, with live performances from Julie Sings and Rob Wilson.

Cllr Mark Bools, Deputy Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Executive Member for Culture, said: “It was wonderful to see everyone at the war memorial for the plaque unveiling. “We will always remember the American servicemen who made Hinckley proud during their time here in the Second World War.”

Cllr Paul Williams, Heritage Champion at the Borough Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who came along. In Hinckley and Bosworth, we always take pride in honouring our local history and the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion are an important part of that.”

Darren Bond, of organisers Mission82, said: “It was a beautiful day as we remembered the 376th PFAB. The ceremony was well attended, and it felt like a real community spirited day. My special thanks to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, G. Seller and St Mary's Church.”