A memorial has been unveiled in honour of a downed Canadian airman who crashed on Caerphilly Mountain during World War Two.
Ivan Raymond Trafford, from Connell in New Brunswick, crashed in bad weather while on a training exercise on November 7 1941.
The 20-year-old’s Spitfire was found in Coedcae Field on the mountain, but official news of the crash was suppressed due to wartime censorship.
However, John Nicholas witnessed the crash, which happened when he was six-years-old, as he returned to his home on Corbett Crescent in the town.
Now 80 and living in West Sussex, Mr Nicholas said: “I was walking home from school with pals and I turned around and saw this aircraft just stop and come down. I’ve never forgotten it.
“Everyone knew about it in the next few days even though it was hush-hush. Being Caerphilly that didn’t stop people talking.”
The memorial came about thanks to St Martin’s School head of history, Matthew Ferris, and his friend, the late Harry Lewis.
Mr Lewis took the school teacher to Glamorgan Archives and uncovered the papers that revealed information about the crash and Mr Trafford’s identity.
Sadly, Mr Lewis passed away before his dream of a memorial became reality.
Mr Ferris said: “Harry Lewis came to me in 2010 and said we need to find the guy who crashed on the mountain.
“Harry lived Caerphilly. He was Mr Caerphilly and one of the interests we shared was commemorating the war dead of Caerphilly.
“Five years on I feel like it’s a bit of a relief, it’s taken its time. I’m proud of the generosity of local people and the people of South Wales, because I’ve done this without paying a penny and that makes me proud that people have responded.
“Where the memorial is built is on the flight path and I envisaged him flying across the mountain. It was adverse weather conditions much like today so this couldn’t be more relevant really.”
The memorial came together with the help of St Martin’s pupils and ex-pupils, who landscaped the area, on the ninth fairway of Caerphilly Golf Club, and helped lay some of the brickwork.
A replica Spitfire propeller was donated by GE Aviation and the stonework was carried out with the help of Alan Griffiths Associates.
Many of the students attended a memorial service at the site on November 6, which was conducted by Father Gareth Coombes, the chaplain of Caerphilly Royal British Legion.
A minute silence was held after Eiry Allender, 15, played the Last Post.
David Birnie, Chairman of Caerphilly Royal British Legion, said: “I’m ex-RAF so it’s lovely that we remembered this airman who died locally.
“Matthew’s done a really good job and it’s lovely that we could get involved and share in the memorial of Ivan Trafford.
“We will go up every year on November 7 to lay a wreath or a cross in his honour. We will make that a part of our remembrance commemorations.”
This is a good memorial, not only to make us remember Ivan Trafford but to all those who served in Fighter Command and Bomber Command during WWII.
It’s also good to remind us that these good men left the relative safety of their homes in the colonies to help us because we put out the call.
They didn’t have to but they did.
Yes, Canadians, Australians, Indians, New Zealanders, Rhodesians, South Africans, the list goes on. All contributed to victory over Germany, Italy and Japan.
It is a shame that we are currently locked into a parochial, little European, undemocratic club and have loosened links with countries that once provided real help when we needed it.
Nailed it.
A really nice tribute to honour Ivan Trafford – though I fear I will be shortly reading that some toe rag scrappie has stolen the propeller and the plaque.