Wednesfield pub's tribute to Second World War airmen - in photos
A pub in Wolverhampton is to change its name in tribute to seven airmen killed in a horror air crash in the city - just days after the end of the Second World War was declared.
The Albion pub in Wednesfield has been closed since last Monday for a complete revamp and will re-open later this month under its new name, The Lancaster, recalling the crash of a bomber plane nearby which saw all on board perish.
The Lancaster had been on a routine flight when it began losing altitude and crashed on Lichfield Road on May 17, 1945.
The tragic accident, just nine days after VE Day, left a five-foot crater with wreckage spread over two miles.
The airmen on board, none of whom were over 24, are thought to be the only servicemen killed in Wolverhampton during the Second World War.
After the crash, the wreckage and remains of the crew, all from East Kirkby, Lincolnshire, were bulldozed into the crater and a local minister performed a simple funeral ceremony.
Some regulars have questioned the name change on Facebook.
One said: "It will always be known as the Albion. Even years ago when it changed to the Harvester, people still called it the Albion."
On the 70th anniversary of the crash two years ago, the Wednesfield Historical Society and the town's St Thomas's Church organised a remembrance service.
A campaign was also launched to secure funding for a permanent memorial at the site
The names of the airmen that died were Ronnie O'Donnell, John Sills, Bernard Hall, Victor Meade, Gordon Rabbetts, Reginald Smith and Vincent Southworth.
The bomber came from Lincolnshire on a routine training flight before it crashed to the ground.
The Express & Star covered the crash with eye witness accounts of the crash and a picture showing firefighters spraying water into the smouldering crater.
In the article, Express & Star driver Joe Castree said: "It passed right over me and there seemed to be two explosions in the air before the crash.
"I ran to the spot immediately but it was impossible for me to do anything as there was just a lot of wreckage scattered over a wide area and no signs of any members of the crew.
"Bullets were exploding and flares were going off."
Another eye witness believed the crew may have sacrificed their lives to avoid killing children playing on the King George playing field, where the plane could have landed.
As the Lancaster went down four bricklayers on the road some distance away were blown to the ground and had to be treated for shock.
The pub in Lichfield Road will re-open on June 21 at noon.
