"Destination Utah" (The USAAF in a Typical English Village)

Brian Fernley


Organisation:
South West Airfields Heritage Trust
Region:
South West
Notice Period:
Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
Type:
Charity
Fee:
Paid: £75 for local talks, travel expenses will be added over 15miles
Category:
History
Updated:
9th December 2022
Tagged:

Featuring Upottery Airfield in Devon, this talk illustrates the impact of around 1500 American servicemen taking up residence in a quiet English village. The talk looks at the effect on the local population, the role of the airfield in the conflict and the missions undertaken.

The talk is illustrated with contemporary photographs and video reminiscences of people who were there at the time

The airfield gained international recognition as being the departure point of Easy Company in Steven Spielberg's "Band of Brothers"

Views: 354 | Enquiries: 5

About Brian Fernley

I spent most of my working life in the telecommunications industry, starting as an apprentice, then moving into design. From there I joined the training department eventually becoming the UK Technical Training Manager for Siemens Communications. Throughout my career I enjoyed giving presentations and it was something he wanted to continue into retirement.

I've always been interested in aviation history and have had several opportunities to develop my knowledge; which including writing an interactive guide for Newark Air Museum and involvement with aviation archaeology.

After moving from Nottingham to Devon I became aware of the South West Airfields Heritage Trust, an educational charity whose purpose is to inform the public of the south-west’s aviation heritage. This is done in a number of ways, most visibly they have heritage centres at Dunkeswell and Smeatharpe, which are open to the public from Easter until the end of October. They also give talks, visit schools, hold events and look after a number of local memorials.

I have become an enthusiastic volunteer, contributing to both heritages centres and now regularly deliver talks on their behalf.


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