Village remembers snowstorm crash pilot

A memorial has been unveiled to a much-loved RAF fighter pilot who died when his aircraft crashed during a snowstorm in Scotland.

Flying Officer Andrew Crowther, 25, was taking part in an exercise over Lossiemouth on 18 November 1981 when tragedy struck.

On Saturday, a ceremony took place in the airman's home village of Wales, in Rotherham.

Although his name could not be engraved on the village's war memorial because he did not die in active conflict, the memorial - funded by Wales Parish Council - has been placed adjacent to it.

Crowther's younger brother, Ian, said he was "very honoured and grateful" for the memorial.

He read a tribute at the service.

"It is very emotional when you lose people, even after 45 years," he said.

"But I'm also proud of our brother Andrew, who we always looked up to.

"He'd probably say this was a fuss over nothing, but it was always his ambition to be a fighter pilot. He had to work very hard for it and when he achieved it we were all so proud."

David Stapleton, a close friend of Crowther's late brother Martin, said it had bothered him that there was no permanent tribute in the village.

He said: "When people join the military, they sign a blank cheque with their lives. They never know if anyone's going to cash that cheque and how much for.

"Unfortunately, Andrew's cheque was cashed and you can't ask more than that of anybody. It's vital we never ever forget the sacrifices of Andrew and countless others made in the service of this country.

"He won't be forgotten in the village he grew up in and that's everything."

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