THAMESIDE AVIATION MUSEUM

On 8th March 1944 two B-26 Marauder aircraft of the 344th Bomb Group, 494th Bomb Squadron, USAAF, 9th Airforce based at Stanstead, Essex, collided in mid-air over the village of Theydon Mount, Epping, Essex, with the tragic loss of all on-board the two aircraft.

This page is dedicated in the memory of S/Sgt. Alfred R. Border

On Sunday 17th June 2006 Stan Border, brother of S/Sgt. Alfred R. Border, visited the Thameside Aviation Museum to see the remains of his brothers aircraft.

Stan Border has flown into the UK from the USA the day before and came to the museum with Historian David Campbell. David was a founder member of the "Essex Historical Aircraft Society" which excavated the remains of S/Sgt's Borders aircraft in 1975.

On arrival at The TAM's museum in Coalhouse Fort Stan was greeted by Colin Wingrave,  another founder member of EHAS and now present Chairman of the Coalhouse Fort Project, Robin Hill, Historian also a founding member of EHAS and Dave Thorndike who looks after the TAM,s collection and is head of displays.

During Stan's visit  he was presented by Dave Thorndike with a part form his brothers aircraft which Stan said will place on top of his television.

Dave, left presents Stan with a piece of his brothers aircraft.

Robin, Stan and David C

Stan at the entrance to the museum with Dave T

In the memorial garden at the fort

Dave Thorndike, David Campbell, Stan Border and Robin Hill.

copy of the telegraph sent to Stan's mother alerting her of the death of her son. copyright Stan Border

Alfred's  grave at Maddingly, Cambridgeshire, England.

On 8th March 1944 two B-26 Marauder aircraft of the 344th Bomb Group, 494th Bomb Squadron, USAAF, 9th Airforce based at Stanstead, Essex, collided in mid-air over the village of Theydon Mount, Epping, Essex, with the tragic loss of all on-board the two aircraft.

The incident was actually the first time any lives had been lost by the 344th
it was only their 3rd mission since arriving in Britain.

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