899 SQUADRON MEMORIAL RE_DEDICATION
Commanding Officer Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton, Commodore Tindal, led a service of dedication to commemorate Lieutenant Andy George and Midshipman Paul Norman of 899 Squadron, who lost their lives in a Sea Harrier crash on 7th February 1985.
On the 7th February 1985 a T4 twin seat Sea Harrier training aircraft from 899 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton crashed five minutes after take-off, 3 miles north of the Air Station killing both pilots on-board.
To commemorate the loss of the aircraft and its crew, Lieutenant Andy George and Midshipman Paul Norman, 899 Squadron planted a memorial tree and associated plaque on the Air Station which had been a key part of the Air Station fabric for many years but unfortunately, in storms earlier this year the original tree was severely damaged and had to be removed.
Personnel of the current RNAS Yeovilton Command Building staff were unhappy some themselves with links to the old Sea Harrier force and set about replacing the memorial tree. This culminated in in a service of remembrance and the planting of a replacement memorial tree.
The re-dedication was attended by members of the Norman family, including Tom Norman, father of the late Midshipman Norman, as well as members of the Sea Harrier Association, some of whom were serving on 899 Squadron at the time of the crash. and other members of the current Yeovilton Ship’s Company.
A replacement memorial tree was planted alongside the original memorial plaque outside the Command Building at RNAS Yeovilton to provide a fitting and lasting memorial to members of the Fleet Air Arm family, gone but not forgotten.