The 486th Returns to England- James C. Simon, 835th.We were treated royally on our Return to the U.K. 55 years later. While we were in town, Mayor Ray Smith and Council of Sudbury flew the American flag from their City Hall in our honor, and treated 50+ of us to a sit down, catered, roast beef lunch with Yorkshire pudding, and British and American flags festooning the hall. A publican treated us to a buffet lunch in his pub's courtyard, and the R.A.F. Association treated us all to a cocktail party. Hospitality was generous everywhere, and they even favored us only with days of sunshine,- quite different from the England I remembered - Charlie Macgill, 834th.We have never been invited to the RAFA (Royal Air Force Association) club before and it was real treat. Most of the members who were there were flying when the 486th was holding forth in Sudbury. They called it a "tea" that we were invited to, but the "tea" was served in glasses and the more that was consumed, the happier we got. So I'm not saying what the tea was! But it was so kind of them to invite us and we really did enjoy it. |
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"Flying aces return to a heroes' welcome" - Free Press (Suffolk) 52 veteran's and family members attended a reunion in Sudbury, England this past June, 2000. The town of Sudbury welcomed the group with open arms. Chuck Wilson, 832nd, stands right of center (blue suit). Over Chuck's right shoulder is the Mayor of Sudbury, Ray Smith. Charlie Macgill stands behind the mayor. The 486th contingent paid their respects to their fallen comrades at the American memorial at The Croft with a wreath laying ceremony. Afterwards the group was treated to a luncheon at Sudbury's town hall, hosted by the Mayor. |
 Cornelius "Charlie" Baldwin holds a photo taken in Sudbury during the war. Pictured is Virgil Garcia and two boys from the town. |
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| Photos are reprinted from the "Suffolk Free Press." |
Virgil Garcia and two boys from Sudbury, 1945.