Royal British Air Force Pilots Remembered In Miami, OK

A Miami Cemetery is hosting a remembrance ceremony for British pilots who lost their lives there over 70 years ago. 

In the early 1940s, Miami was home to the British Flying Training School #3, a branch of the Spartan School of Aeronautics. 

It was there that 15 pilots from the Royal Air Force lost their lives in training accidents and were laid to rest in Miami’s Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery (G.A.R.).  

On October 21st, the G.A.R. Cemetery will host the 8th annual British Flyers Remembrance Ceremony to honor the lives of those men who lost their lives, including a 17-year-old.  

This year’s honored guest is Jill Davies, daughter of British Pilot Officer, Edward Owen “Ted” Hawkes. 

Hawkes trained with the Royal Air Force in Miami as part of the 24th class and went on to fly in World War II.

Local veterans from the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of 
America and the Marine Corps League will participate in this year’s remembrance ceremony as will the City of Tulsa Pipes and Drums who will perform a musical tribute to honor the British flyers.

Representatives of the Royal Air Force, Royal British Legion, and the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology also plan to attend the ceremony this year.

“I feel that our British Flyers Remembrance Ceremony is inspiring,” said Nancy Bro, G.A.R. Cemetery office manager and an organizer of the event.  “It is always an honor for us to have so many individuals and organizations join us as we commemorate the cadets that lost their lives while training and have been laid to rest here at the G.A.R. Cemetery.”

The ceremony begins at 10:30 am at the G.A.R. Cemetery at 2801 N Main Miami, OK.