A military heritage exhibition in Grantham will include original and rarely seen memorabilia used by British airborne forces in World War II, and offer the chance to meet ‘Sir Winston Churchill’.
The free Soldiers From The Sky exhibition at Grantham House on November 22nd and 23rd illustrates the local build-up of airborne forces ahead of D-Day and Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).
It also offers an unusual photo-opportunity with a Churchill re-enactor, reflecting how the wartime Prime Minister was responsible for the formation of the airborne forces.
Soldiers From The Sky is a South Kesteven District Council project, made possible through a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Lottery players.
The exhibition will include historic Parachute Regiment items loaned by the Airborne Assault Museum, based at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
Other exhibits explain how elite American Pathfinder paratroopers spearheaded the D-Day airborne assault after taking off from former RAF North Witham near Colsterworth.
Another display tells the story of a mid-air training collision near Carlton Scroop, in which seven decorated American war veterans and their mascot dog, Major Jerry, were killed. The tragedy is commemorated by a memorial at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club.
Project staff will also be on hand to explain how the unique alliance of British, American and Polish airborne troops transformed South Kesteven into a mock battle practice area in 1944.
