An annual memorial service celebrating the lives of air crews that lost their lives in tragic plane crashes took place today (September 26) with touching tributes and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Veterans, young cadets and members of the community gathered at Galgate Memorial Gardens in Barnard Castle for the 28th annual Teesdale Aviation Day, remembering the lives of airmen killed in crashes across Teesdale and the Pennines in the 1940s and beyond.
Since 1995, people have gathered at the gardens that were formerly located on the grounds of Deerbolt until the land was sold off to housing developers.
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This year's service included three stories from young Barnard Castle School RAF cadets, re-telling the tales of three aircraft that crashed in the valley in the 1940s.
"This year feels very different", Claire Earl emotionally said, as she began the service that her late father Terry Galley had delivered for many years.
She went on to pay tribute to the airmen who "paid the ultimate price for their country" before handing over to Reverend Graham Cutler who led those who had gathered in prayer.
Before a moment of silence and a reading of the lord's prayer, the group was treated to a moving performance of the last post before the event came to a close.
However, this year's service was met with more emotion than usual as the two well-regarded founders of the event, Tony Galley and John Yarker, were absent.
Mr Galley, unfortunately, passed in February of this year but was represented by his two children Claire Earl and Chris Galley who delivered the service.
Tony's son Chris said: "We are trying to keep that legacy that John and Tony started going. In 2025 we will be celebrating our 30th year which will be a big one.
"It is a very special day and it is very emotional. For many years my father stood there and delivered the service and hosted the event for people to come here and celebrate."
He added: "It's a nice thing to push it forward and keep it going, especially with the Galley and Yarker families."
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Suzanne Thomas (nee Yarker) spoke fondly of her father John who unfortunately could not attend.
She said: "I am very proud to be here representing my dad. I wish he was here, and I know he wouldn't have missed it because he laid a wreath every year.
"He would be here to celebrate the crew but I will be here to represent him as well as my two sisters who also could not be here today."
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