High above Highclere: January 1st

After breakfast on New Year’s Day, I set off with whoever else has surfaced, to walk down Lime Avenue, following the old paths around the corner of Siddown Hill to reach Beacon Hill. It rises to the south, some 850 feet above the Castle; a distinctive, long, exposed slope of ground leading up to the remains of the Iron Age hill fort circling the topmost acres of the hill. It seems an elemental part of the land, always open to winds and rain, but also to far reaching views which today give us pleasure and in the past, beyond pleasure, would have given advance warning against marauders.

Map of the iron age fort, showing the outlying ramparts and outlines of buildings within
There are few trees near the slopes and I imagine they were cut down several thousand years ago to give clear views. That however was not sufficient defense against the Romans in AD43 when they invaded this island. The early settlements around the foothills were likely simply acquired and resettled by the Romans, then later by the Anglo Saxons. Perhaps even the Vikings passed through as well. All have left traces of everyday life: pottery, coins, brooches, clips, and rings.
At the far foot of the hill’s slope lie the remains of a rectangular building. It dates from about 1905, over two thousand years later, therefore, than the iron age fort in which I am standing. Steve, part of my plane search team, and I had been looking for the footprint of this structure for some time. However, it is amazing when you are struggling through nettles and brambles, to find anything. It is much easier to trip over than to see what might be in front of you. We began to close in when I saw the outline, by chance, at the back of an old photo. I emailed Steve in the middle of the night, squeaking with excitement.

Geoffrey de Havilland’s hangar circa 1910, Beacon hill behind
It is the outline of the hangar in which Geoffrey de Havilland created his first aeroplane. He made it by analysing newspaper reports on how the Wright brothers constructed and flew a plane, as he had never actually seen one.
The wings were sewn by his wife, he utilised piano wire and bicycle tyres in the construction and believed that he had worked out a way to control direction and altitude. He let the plane gain speed running down the shoulder of Beacon Hill in September 1909 and crashed forwards. Unhurt and undaunted he learnt his lessons, rebuilt it again, and on September 10th 1910 took off and flew over the bronze age tumuli, over the fields, turned in a circle and miraculously landed.
He was to become one of the most important men in British aviation, later building Puss Moths, Tiger Moths, Mosquitoes and the Comet. During the Mary Berry TV show on BBC1 we touched on the planes that are part of the aviation story here. Aviation at Highclere takes in both World Wars through the airmen who were nursed back to health in the hospital in the Castle in World War One and the airmen who crashed here in World War Two.
I can never decide which layer of history and landscape matters most and which to highlight. This September we are going to highlight Highclere as a place of healing which was its role in the First World War, as well as sharing some of the stories about flight; the successful ones and the tragic ones.
New Years Resolutions seem to last a week, and are usually about eating less or exercising more. However, my resolution this year is more reflective – it is to create a memorial, one from a fallen Cedar tree which is monumental in itself, a statue of an airmen looking back towards these hills from the gardens at Highclere, thus everyone visiting Highclere can see it. The airmen who died on the Estate are from many places: the USA, Canada, New Zealand as well as the UK so I hope we can do it together. We can unveil it in September, during a weekend to remember these men and carve their names in the Cedar.
UPDATE 7th January 2018: Today on Siddown Hill we found the radio compass of the B17 which crashed on 5th May 1945 – quite an extraordinary find.
Lady Carnarvon, isn’t this also where the Late Earl of Carnarvon is buried and Lady Almina? Am I thinking of another place on the estate that is called Beacon Hill. I don’t have the book in front me but there was a picture with the Earl standing on Beacon Hill and under the picture it States that’s where he was going to be buried. Please correct me if my memory is off.
I love the idea of memorializing the fallen soldiers as well as those who came for healing and repair before going back to the front during World War I. Thank you for doing this.
Thank you – yes you are right – the 5th Earl is also buried up there in an area inside the fort.
fascinating…have a lovely new year you and your family, may all your dreams come true…keep warm , thanks for your newsleter i love to read them and its appreciated..caron x
Warm wishes for a great year ahead for you and your family, Lady Carnarvon.
A very happy New Year to you and your family for 2018.
How wonderful to have found this spot to share for 2018!!!! Happy New Year and thank you for keeping Beacon Hill open for all of us!!! Terry Fenwick
Wishing you and your family a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Thank you for sharing your blog, an enjoyable read and also enjoyed watching the appearance of you all on Mary Berry’s Country Houses.
Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you and your family
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
A beautiful tribute to the layers of history that surround you in the sacrifices our heroes made for our freedom. The beauty of the Castle and the grounds are poignant reminders of the tumultuous periods that are layered in the soil. I so look forward to your writings and insights – they give me much to think about. My grandfather served in WWI in pastoral care, and my father served as a doctor in Army Medical Corp in WWII. They did not perish, but worked to help the wounded, dying and suffering. I find myself wishing I could talk with them now, and listen to their insights about those terrible wars. My father shared some stories, and there are a few photographs, but I have more questions. You are wonderful to search for the heroes who perished near the Castle, and to work to create a lasting memorial, for in remembering we honor all.
Thank you for your important work, and for all you share.
Happy New Year, and Peace in 2018.
Charlotte Cole
Thank you – September is a weekend to touch the past – stories and tributes
Imagine creating a plane without ever having seen one! It’s amazing to think of the huge leaps forward that were made without the aid of all the technology we have at our disposal nowadays. Thank goodness for the vision and creativity of so many amazing people in the past. A very Happy New Year to you and your family.
I think it was so extraordinary too – I have a painting of the plane in my study… Happy New Year
Lady Carnarvon Happy New Year to you and your family. Once again you bring to light pieces of unknown history to me and many others with your pictures and words. Bless you and thank you for sharing.
Happy New Year to you!
Hello!
I have just read your book about Lady Almina . And it was a very interesting story .
Thank you!
Happy New Year to you and you family. I am really enjoying your blog and the history. What a fascinating part of the world you live in
Warm regards
Mary
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Happy New Year to you & yours.
I have followed your immensely colourful writings for many months & enjoy the seasonal changes and challenging new projects at Highclere
One of my resolutions…to visit your wonderful Castle to see it through my eyes.
Thank you & best wishes
That is a good resolution!
Happy New Year and all the best from Germany/Bielefeld. I’am a great fan from Dowtown Abbey and I love your wonderful home Highclere Castle.
Thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon as always, you inspire us to think about how important the past was, and how important it is to our future. My father was a RAF pilot during the last war, but does not speak of it to much. But your idea of carving the names of the pilots on the tree are beautiful. May you and your family, have a healthy and blessed New Year. Desiree Creary.
I am already involving ex pilots and asking for help..
Thank you for the interesting article today. Happy new year!
What a lovely tribute to those who gave their lives in the battle for right. I never realized how much the Castle has been witness to many milestones in history; what an incredible treasure it is, of which I know you are well aware! May your New Year be filled with health and joy as you continue to tell the wonderful story that is Highclere. ❤️
Thank you
You are such an inspiration to me with your compassion and the way you make the time to tell all these interesting stories about the history of your fabulous estate. It certainly brightens a dark period in my life. A visit to Highclere is on the top of my bucket list as soon as I conquer my battle with cancer. Happy New Year!
You sound as if you also meet challenges.. all best wishes to 2018
A monderful New Year to you and yours. Thank you in particular for sharing that picture near th tree stump with your dog refusing to be ignored for one more second!
That cedar will become the more than life size statue of an airman
What a lovely way to remember so many men who flew in both World War conflicts. My Dad flew B-17’s and B-29’s during WWII and survived. He would be so pleased at your cedar memorial as afte the war, he finished his degree in Forestry and trees were a huge part of the rest of his life. Wish I could be there in Sept. Happy and healthy wishes for 2018.
T. Ceppi
Fredericksburg, TX
How interesting – the B17 was part of 92nd bomber Command – it would be amazing if some of the relatives could join us…
Happy New Year to you and all your family.
Thank-you for sharing another glimpse into the varied history of Highclere and it’s surroundings.
I so look forward to reading your posts.
Best wishes from Luxor
Happy New Year to you and your family. I love seeing the grounds around you beautiful home. The landscaping, and the trees are so pretty and the history behind your place is amazon to learn about and I thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Thank you Happy New Year
The best to you and your family in 2018! I enjoy your posts!
Thank you for your marvelous blog. I so loved my visit in 2014 and now I can revisit the castle with each of your updates. I applaud your tribute to the fallen and hope to come across the pond once again to see it completed.
Happy New Year yo you and your family. Valerie
come and join us in September!
Lady Carnarvon Happy New Year to you and your family. We celebrated our own New Year’s Eve last night with friends and the bottle of Highclere Champagne that I bid on during your last event in Naples FL. Everyone really enjoyed it.
Thank you – we drank the same!
Happy New Year Eve! Feliz año nuevo!
Thank you – happy New Year
What a marvellous way to start the New Year! This task will have its just rewards, and in such a fitting place too. I’m sure you must be so excited about it. I hope you and the family have a healthy 2018 and continue. to be blessed. Thank you for your preservation efforts in all you do. Best wishes. Your friend in Houston, Texas. Happy New Year 2018.
All best wished for 2018 in Houston – may all storms avoid you!
Happy New Year from across the pond. I love to read your monthly messages and historical facts. You are indeed a “keeper of the keys “ for a special place. Thank you and I wish you many blessings for 2018.
Thank you – happy New Year
Happy New Year Lady Carnarvon all the best to you and your family.
Your plans to honor those who served in the military touched my heart.
It means so much to me coming from a military family.
Thank you so much and I look forward to see the progression of the project during the coming months.
Thank you Mary Anne and Happy New Year!
Nice place. Happy new year!
Happy New Year
A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones!
Warm regards from Lisbon, Portugal.
Thank you so much !
Thanks again for such an insightful blog. I enjoy reading them very much. PBS has been running a ‘Downton Abbey’ Marathon over the past 3 days, so I have immersed myself in all things Highclere. After my visit in September, having walked where all the characters did, it makes me feel like I was a part of it all!
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Barbara Dale,
Battersea, Ontario
Canada
Wonderful and we are celebrating John A day here on the 11th!
What a wonderful way to remember those brave men and the history of aviation at Highclere! I have a keen interest in early aviation in England. I am an American novelist who has set my last five novels in Edwardian England. I visited Highclere in 2012 to help with my research, and I had a most memorable day there! I am very interested in what you wrote about Richard de Havilland. His experiences are remarkably like the hero in my next novel, Across the Blue. My hero, James Drake, sees Wilbur Wright fly in France in 1908, and then returns to England determined to take what he observed and build an airplane with the goal of being the first to fly across the English Channel. I loved doing the research for this novel and including several early aviation pioneers in the story. The heroine is a wealthy young woman who is the daughter of a newspaper owner. Her father is offering the 1000 pound prize to the first pilot who makes a successful crossing of the Channel. She dreams of becoming a journalist and covering that story in an era when few women were able to take that on as a career. I hope you will have the opportunity to read Across the Blue. Thank you for keeping history alive and inspiring us all to learn from the past and take those lessons into the future. I look forward to my next visit to Highclere! Perhaps it will be in September when the memorial is revealed. I’ll be watching for information about that event. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you – we have not just the memorial but we are organising plane displays from tigermoths to dutch fokkers and US planes as well.
How exciting! A great new project to begin the new year. Way to go!
Thank you!
Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family, and all at Highclere Castle. What a beautiful memorial that cedar shall make, how wonderful that you will honor the fly boys and heroes of the past wars. I wait to see more come September with the airplanes and the unveiling of the sculpture. It surely will be a great event!
Thank you – it needs to entertain or nobody will come , but it comes from my heart and will bring me to tears
This discussion is one of my favorites. Highclere seems to be an unending source of special and interesting events. I look forward to more of the Cedar Tree Memorial and perhaps more detail of the Iron Age Fort findings. Thank you for your most looked-forward-to blog.
You are kind – Happy New Year!
Incredible story/photos/video. I think your memorial idea is wonderful. What an adventure, exploring the grounds for remains…Hopefully they can go into a museum or artifact area….I have found plane remains before…nothing old…but it’s quite shocking when you find some bits and pieces. Thanks for sharing this and Happy New Year 2018, from Southern California xo
It is shocking – a pot of brylcreem from one of the airmen in the B 17..
I love how one of your dogs is rooting around through your pocket in the picture! You must keep their treats there – eh? Thanks again for honoring the past – Happy New Year to you and your family from the USA!
They are labradors!
Dear Lady Carnarvon –
I am once again intrigued by all the history that surrounds and is your home. Thank you for loving history and for keep finding new ways to draw it to our attention, celebrate it, and make it accessible to so many people. I love your words – most people could look at Beacon Hill and only see the hill. You, however, look out and see 2,000+ years of history and dream up plans to share your treasures and honor them and the people who designed and used them. You are Grace personified and the perfect chantaline to protect and share all of the treasures under your care. Thank you again for all you and your team do. Be well and be blessed in this wonderful New Year!
Happy New Year to you – I just think you can see the past here, you just have to look and you are in it. I am sure there are many other places with such history, but I am beginning to know Highclere well and from the detail I can find the people.
Lady Carnarvon:
Happy New Year. Love this post: so filled with important historical information. I find flying fascinating and would love to see all those aircraft in one place. What a thrill that would be!!
I also love the fact that you will use the cedar tree to sculpt a memorial to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I wonder if you will have it sculpted also using a more durable material: marble, stone or bronze?
Your year seem already jam packed with projects, fundraising events, historical remembrances and you even spoke in an earlier post of completing a book. I hope that at the end of the year (2018) you would have accomplished all that you set all to achieve and more. Best of luck!
All the best for a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Blessings on you, your family, and the support staff at Highclere.
Regards
Bev
There are few more durable substances then cedar, it is a remarkable tree and wood.
This weeks blog is very close to my heart it’s all about history because I have been involved in bringing it to life in finding things from the past, the Highclere Aircraft Team never stop working on finding out history like Lady Carnarvon said that she email Steve in the middle of the night this is true, as I have done the same to both of them, it’s funny we always seem to find out hidden history the wee small hours of the morning. Its great Lady Carnarvon to see the photos of the names of the B-17 crew & watch the film & hear what Simon is going to do with the tree.
It will be wonderful !!
Dear Lady Carnarvon. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. I wish you a wonderful 2018 and every success with the new project. My father was an RAF pilot in WWII so it will be of special interest on my next visit to Highclere
Thank you for all your wonderfully interesting blogs of 2017. They have all been keenly read & greatly enjoyed.
Althea – New Zealand
I hope I can reach out to the current New Zealand airmen too..
What a wonderful idea for a tribute to these flyers – thank you! And of course Happy New Year!!!
What a wonderful way to start 2018 Lady Carnarvon. Hipp Hipp Hurrah! I’ve been meaning to ask you since we met last December, how is the grass so chartreuse in the middle of winter? It looked like spring had befallen us last December after a heavy frost that morning! Please share your secret, if you can ;-). Happy New Year to all at Highclere!!
Britain grows good lawns – our weather!!!
Someone was unsuccessfully attempting to grow a new lawn here in the US. After several years, he asked a friend from the UK how they managed to grow such magnificent lawns. The answer was spot on: 300 years of practice!
DEAR LADY CARNARVON,
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR STAFF FOR 2018. FROM RIO CLAFO SP BRAZIL.
Thank you Happy New Year in Brazil!
Wishing you a peaceful and successful 2018. Your ideas sound exciting and will help people remember the past and what our ancestors fought for to protect our families and freedom
I love your blog! We are visiting London in September and are waiting for the tickets to be on sale for this weekend. It will be exciting enough to be at the castle, but to have this weekend will be inspiring. My husband served in the Canadian Forces and my stepson is currently serving in the Navy. I can only imagine how proud the families of those you will remember and honour will be. We must never forget. We live in Dunnville, Ontario Canada and our little airport was a Harvard training station in the WW2. We are watching for the tickets to go on sale everyday. Thanks so much and best wished for a happy and healthy New Year.
Nancy O’Neill
I will let you now an would be so grateful if you spread the word too to tell your friends who might be interested – I am trying to sort out timings…
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Once again I was thrilled to hear, the wonderful history related to your grounds, and all those you so colorfully bring to life. You have such a beautiful area surrounding Highclere.
I see you have a shy dog, as if to say “no pictures , please.” How sweet.
Many Blessings to you and yours this New Year, and Thank You again for your wonderful blogs to all of us.
Regards
Scooby Doo is with me at the moment (muddy) and the shy one
Is the castle haunted? Do tell a story about that someday- please? : ) I love your stories on the rich history of the castle and its past inhabitants. Great stuff! Happy New Year!
I was just thinking I might tell a few stories for around a fireplace, a few candles lit and this is what I saw…(!)In my head I know what I would like to share for next week which is different, but I will return to your suggestion. Happy New Year
Dearest Lady Carnarvon,
This is such an inspirational calling you’ve received (by God, I’m sure) to honor the airmen and history of your beautiful region! I’m so touched by all you do to preserve and narrate the colorful history at Highclere, but this “High Above” project is dear to my heart as my own father was an airman who was one of the many 101st Airborne SCREAMING EAGLES who quartered and trained in Berkshire and Wiltshire UK in 1944. It is recorded that the 101st Airborne first practiced by jumping from trucks instead of planes (imagine that!) and later practiced on Slapton Sands on the Devonshire Coast to train to secure causeway bridges. In the second week of May this elite troop actually jumped from planes there to prepare for their role in the Normandy invasion in June of 1944. Our brave dad came home with a Purple Heart, but alive and well and soon he and my mother began our family. We’ve been proud of our paratrooper dad but noticed he chose to reveal so little to us, his family, the stories of war, as did many of those of the “Greatest Generation” kept silent yet spoke freely to fellow soldiers who had been there to experience the horrors and victories of WW II.
We’re so blessed by your heart-felt project to honor those who weren’t as fortunate as our dad, but brave men who, serving their countries, were grounded there in their aircraft on the estate. The carved monument from the old Cedar from Lebanon (a tree of righteousness) will make a historical mark from the past, that will honor and “speak” for generations to come–carved beauty from ancient ashes and ruins. Thank you for your 2018 resolution!
(Each time I receive your blog, I sit and soak up every word you write and teach me with my cuppa tea here in FL in the USA. And long to visit your country of my heritage.)
Happy New Year and Blessings,
Marsha
Thank you – I think it is simply an idea, but let’s do it! It is a good tree to choose and Simon the sculptor will carve it in situ. I have seen his work and thus we can remember these men
What a beautiful idea to memorialize the fallen soldiers. I love your plans for the cedar tree and the garden of memory.
I do hope you and your family have a blessed, happy and healthy 2018.
Thank you for your stories and commentary. I so much look forward to it.
Happy New year!
Hello Lady Carnarvan, from far away USA… fron the West Coast of Washington State, in Spokane, I had the great pleasure of touring Highclere Castle this past Aug, 2018. Beautiful and so Regal!!!
I’m a devoted FAN of all things about Highclere after watching “Downton Abbey” for 6 years!! Your home is a most important CHARACTER in EVERY episode of the series and I was so HAPPY be there in person too, as I also visited Stourbridge, where my Grandmother was raised!! God Bless you for these updates. We will read on with enthusiasm!!
Thank you – Happy New Year – I think Highclere is a star as well!!! Never fluffs a line
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
A very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Your idea to create the garden of memory is wonderful.
It will be the monument to all soldiers fallen in the second WW.
I am writting you for the first time.
My best wishes toyou and your family from Yalta(Crimea). I’m very interested in castles,landscape gardens,architecture. In the Crimea in the small town of Alupka we have Vorontsov Palace. I think you know this name Vorontsov.(Woronzoff)The palace was built by Edward Blore.This palace was residence for Sir Winston Churchill during the Yalta Conference in Feb.of 1945
Your castle is very beautiful. I have my dream to visit it.
Thank you for writing – happy New Year!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
My Dad was 1st Lt Robert L Sprout who went down with his crew May 5th 1945 on your Siddown Hill. I was thrilled to see you knew about that with the inclusion here of the cross and photo showing his flight crew. I have his letters saying how very thankful they were to have a place like yours for R&R after their major missions to Germany.
Respectfully,
Randy Sprout
I am honoured to hear from you! We have a photograph here of you father, I know he was the co-pilot – I would like to put some together whatever information would be possible to tell their stories .. do you know much about the circumstances?
It’s wonderful to hear from you Randy the Highclere Aircraft Team have been researching your Dad’s aircraft bit by bit we are bringing the story together & building a picture of his service he spent with his crew.
Regards
Paul
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Are you still planning an event with your cedar tree sometime in September of 2018?
If so I would like to coordinate the date with my mom and wife.
Respectfully,
Randy Sprout
We will – I think on Sept 8/9 weekend – they come from Lebanon, a small country coping with millions of refugees
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am thrilled to hear about this memorial! 1st Lt Robert L Sprout was my uncle (my father, Lyle Sprout’s older brother), and my father would be so pleased to know that his brother’s memory will live on near Highclere. Dad passed away earlier this year, but I know he would have certainly loved to hear about this…as well as seeing the precious pictures you posted. Thank you SO much for doing this. I watched your video with tears streaming down my face.
Sincerely,
Michelle Sprout Murray
I feel humbled – it is their story and name..
How wonderful to hear from you Michelle it’s heart warming to the team to hear from family member like yourself, In the photo we placed this poppy cross next to a part of airframe that has not been touched since Saturday 5th May, In my eyes this is still lives in 1945 myself & other team members have been researching their aircraft & it’s missions it undertook. We all look forward to seeing Simon wonderful work on the sculpture later this year to mark these brave young men who gave so much for us.
Regards
Paul
So fascinating and wonderful to hear of the memorial you plan to create. We shall be looking forward eagerly to see it’s formation over the next months. Such an extraordinarily beautiful site. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon, greetings from the coast of North Carolina USA. I dearly love Highclaire Castle. I thank you for preserving its history and allowing others to tour. I can only imagine how amazing it must be to live there. My husband and I hope to visit England in the near future. My husband’s grandmother and family were from Lancaster England. They came to the US in the early 1900s and settled in New Bedford Massachusetts. Happy New Year to you and your family! Best wishes, Gina R. Jones. Oak Island, North Carolina USA
I wonder if you know of the other Oak Island in Nova Scotia, the one where the supposed pirate treasure is buried? The History Channel is running a series on the people digging there today. There is a long history to this quest with some well-known names involved, providing a lot of money to the task. Some amazing finds have been recorded, but no treasure just yet.
Lady Carnarvon,
….as your story settled over me, I felt a deep sense of your caring for so much of Highclere and all that surrounds it…. What a continued gift YOU and your staff are ……Thank you and Happy New Year to you and your family, Joan Kovach. Athens, Georgia USA
The subtitle to almost everything I write is a sense of place…
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Firstly, Happy New Year to you, your family and all bloggers.
A belated reading of emails received over the festive season has just lead me to your New Year’s Day Blog. Thank you for sharing that fascinating history. I particularly enjoyed reading of de Havilland’s plane. I was unaware that his wife had sewn the wings. It’s amazing that de Havilland was able to ‘recreate’ an aeroplane without ever having seen one.
These days, a visit to Washington DC is incomplete without visiting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum that houses, inter alia, the Wright Brother’s 1903 “ Kitty Flyer”.
I always have thought it incredible that “flight”, which had alluded mankind for multiple millennia, advanced so quickly following those early aviation pioneers of 1903. For instance, within 25 years of that first flight, Australia’s Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (widely known as “Smithy”) made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States. He also made a flight from Australia to London, setting a new record of 10.5 days.
Of course, your blog has traversed a timeline of much more than the past 115 years. Highclere certainly provides a treasure trove of historical material.
I once read that our thoughts can be like time machines. Those that take us back are called memories. Some take us forward, they’re called dreams.
Best wishes with your ‘cedar’ memorial to the airman. A very appropriate tribute.
Kindest regards,
Jeffery Sewell
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
A pleasant good afternoon, and may I wish you and your beautiful family, a most wonderful New year, Health, and Most of ALL Happiness.
Sincerely,
John L Roberts
Amherst, New York
Happy new year to you all at Highclere. Loved the Mary Berry series, clearly a happy place to work, beautiful dogs. I was given your latest book as a gift, really wonderful, I also bought the supplement in the Telegraph at Christmas, made the sage & onion stuffing it was delicious! I have also read Lady Catherine, what a marvellous book. Best wishes Christine Fairclough.
Dear Lady Carnarvon.
Many years ago I was an international automotive engineer for Rolls Royce, in Crewe.
I want to tell you how much I enjoy looking at your beautiful home. I have found many pictures on my computer and downloaded most of them. I have as a webpage, the picture of your sitting room with the Grand Piano in it. To now, have your grandeur on my computer, in my home allows me great pleasure of the warmth the pictures give this 70 year old gentleman, and want to thank you for make your home, now part of my memories.
Please have a great day, and the pleasures of allowing the world to enjoy the hidden treasures of your home.
Sincerely,
John L. Roberts
Amherst, N.Y. U.S.A.
In addition to my above letter this morning, I learned about your beautiful abbey on PBS. When I saw all of the stories, I IMMEDIATELY purchased the entire LIMITED box, and have enjoyed it from the start.
Regards,
John Roberts
Amherst, N.Y. U.S.A.
Thank you – I think the weather is rather cold with you? Good time to watch TV!
I think your right!
A noble cedar, for a very noble memory. Very interesting the history of that place. Always remembering those heroes who gave their lives for others. I loved the video, you can see perfectly the wonderful landscape and its different tones. I really like your blog.
Happy New Year!!!! A greeting.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am so pleased to have found your Blog and to read of the planned memorial. In early September 1990 I took Len Nitti and his wife Joan to Highclare, I was then on the committee of the 92nd Bombardment Group UK and visited the site of his B-17 crash on Sidow Hill. I expect that you have details of this in your records, including the local newspaper coverage. Len was the sole survivor and was the Radio Operator, of what was to have been a routine training flight from Poddington to Chelveston, in Northamptonshire, just 6 miles in distance and a few days prior to the cessation of the war in Europe. We met with several local people and, if my memory serves me right, the man who pulled Len from the wreckage. Len had suffered a broken back. My wife and I have remained good friends with Len and his family since that time and I am pleased to say that he is still with us, in his 90’s, living in Niles, Illinois, USA.
With kind regards and best wishes,
Clive (Bassett).
Oh my goodness – thank you for writing in. All I knew was that he had visited adn one of our keepers explained to me that he had taken you all to a cedar tree where he was found with a broken back. I had nothing else to go on and there are no newspaper or other records here except what I have found. Would you let him know what we are doing and ask if there is some tribute he feels is right?
I would like to mark the site with a cross perhaps by his tree?
This is fantastic to hear from you Clive that Len is still with us, Clive do you think Len would have any photos of his B-17 Fort Worth Jail House that he was in, We the Plane Hunter Team are struggling for photos of his aircraft & crew it would be wonderful to have some copies of photos he many have. As you can see we have found the Radio Compass from the aircraft as will as one or two other bits. We have most of the story of what happened on that sad Saturday morning on 5th May 1945. As we have had contact with 1st Lt Robert L Sprout family do you think Len would know of any of the other crew members family as we would like to tell them what we are doing to remember their loved ones in September this year & have their name carved on the statue..
Regards
Paul
I will be writing to Len later this week, Lady Carnarvon, and will let him know what you are doing, I am sure he will be delighted to hear about this and will pass on his comments. Can you send me an email so that I can forward some of the information that I have, also put you in direct contact with Len. Wish kind regards, Clive.
I will be writing to Len and Joan by the end of this week Paul and will send a link to this Blog. It is quite possible that he will have an image of his B-17, if not may be worthwhile checking the 92nd Bombardment Group website. I do not recall if Len is in contact with Robert Sprout’s family, but if not, sure to be when he sees the Blog. I would be pleased to put Len in direct contact with you and Lady Carnarvon, can you please send me an email address to forward onto him. I will be keen to know more about the Memorial plans for September and the date as well. Kind regards, Clive.
Dear Lady Carnavon –
Len Nitti is my father. Clive Basset sent me the link to your blog and I’ve forwarded it to my parents. My Dad is now 94 yrs old, rather hard of hearing, but still with good memory. He will be so delighted to hear of your memorial. When he visited the crash site years ago, it was the first time he’d been back to England since the war. The video of him surveying the crash site is really very moving. He pointed out that the “V” in the trees further out is where the plane “clipped” them, and at that time, the “V” could still be seen. If there is any other information you need, please let me know and I’ll see if my Dad can fill in the blanks for you. I’ll also find out if he has any other pictures of the B-17. Thank you so much!
How amazing – thank you! I would love to share the video of him.
This so wonderful to read your comment Mary Nitti to know your dad is in fine Health, I’m so proud to be part of this project at Highclere. The work we are doing for the aircrews is very close to my heart. When I read comments from Michelle & Randy Sprout about Len’s fellow crew member Co Pilot 1st Lt Robert L Sprout it really tugs at the heart strings, Len must have some fantastic memories of his fellow crew friends & his time he spent flying in B-17 named Fort Worth Jail House. Len and I have spent many hours on the side of that hill finding things to make a picture of that dreadful Saturday morning May 1945. Thank you Mary, Clive, Michelle & Randy it would be fantastic & wonderful to have any photos of Len & Rorbert & their friends doing day to day things on camp at USAF Poddington and photos their beloved B-17 Fort Worth Jail House in flight or on the ground. And last but not least we would love it if the other family members of the crew 1st Lt Reginald Hammond, Sgt Jacob Buikema, Sgt Daniel Minkon, 2nd Lt John Duffy & 2nd Lt William Dutton, It would be wonderful to hear from any of these young men’s family’s who gave their young lives for our freedom..
Best Regards
Paul
Dear Lady Carnarvon –
It is with a heavy heart I tell you that my father, Len Nitti, passed away suddenly on January 21 of this year. Fortunately, he had been told of your plans to honor his crew and all the fine warriors that crossed Highclere’s path. He was so delighted to hear of it and very pleased. He never forgot the kindness of the Earl of Carnarvon and Highclere’s staff in assisting Clive Bassett to get permission to allow my Dad to return to the crash site after all those years. It meant so much to him, and I believe it healed a piece of his heart. That crash has always weighed very heavily on him.
Thank you again for thinking of the “Yanks” and others who served, it will mean so much to all of us who are left behind.
Sincerely,
Mary Nitti
Dear Mr. McTaggart –
I have gone through my father’s (Len Nitti) WWII photo album and would like to know if you are interested in anything else that is in the album. I’ve found photos of most of the men who died in the crash which are photos of each man by themselves. I also found newspaper articles of both crashes the crew experienced. The first crash, the entire crew survived, but some of the crew wasn’t the exact same people that were in the crash on Siddow Hill. There are also newspaper articles of activities/bomb runs of the 8th Air Force which my Dad and his crew were involved in, as well as other kinds of information such as the list of crew available on a particular day (May 5 included), etc. If you’d like to communicate further about this, please contact me at the email address provided.
Thank you so much.
PS: As you know, my Dad was the Radio Operator, but my family still refers to the crew as “Dad’s crew. 🙂
Dear Mary
Thank you for your recent comments about your father.
I’m very sorry to hear of your father death but so pleased he knew of our intentions to pay our respects to his crew of Jail House with a memorial with their name carved into the wood.
My thoughts are with you & your family at this sad time.
Paul
A fascinating piece. It is truly an extraordinary experience to be able to find the planes as well as other items. Your idea of a memorial touched my heart. It is amazing that you were able to find an Iron Age site as well. The land around Highclere Castle holds many secrets – you are blessed to be able to discover them.
There are layers of history – it is extraordinary. I just think this is a good thing to do and I want anyone/everyone to see their names!
I see we are both fans of the late Buddy Hackett. One of my all-time favorites.
I see we are both fans of the late Buddy Hackett. One of my all-favorites is his story of the duck and the farmer. If of interest, let me know where I can send it to you. Every time I watch it I’m on the floor laughing, as he is, you’ll see. A friend sent it to me saying “it’s how to tell a joke.”
Cordially, John
Lady Carnarvon, are you aware of an American gin company using the name of Highclere Castle on its label! So sorry if you were, I was just sent a link on Facebook and accepted it because I love Highclere and the links with Downton (of course!). I would hate for some Yanks to make money off the back of the name with no connection whatsoever.
Hello Jayne – that is our Highclere Castle Gin! We have partnered with friends in the US to offer the gin worldwide. And if you come to the Castle you can taste it for yourself in one of our delicious cocktails.