Captain John Perrin died on 4th July 1944 having crashed his P-51D Mustang Fighter into land close to Home Farm and Sleepers Spinney. This area now forms part of the Primepoint Business Park

John Perrin came from New Jersey U.S.A. and flew with the then United States Army Air Force (later being the USAF in 1947). He had been flying fighter sweeps in P-47 Thunderbolts prior to being killed and was an "Ace" having destroyed 5 German aircraft. On American Independence Day 1944 he was delivering a Mustang Fighter from base workshops at Warton, Lancashire to Steeple Morden in Cambridgeshire when it appeared to catch fire. So as to miss the Tillington Manor Primary School, (then known as Holmcroft Primary), at the North End of Stafford together with Houses in First and Second Avenue he stayed with his stricken plane.

His story is included in the syllabus of the World War 2 at the school and was recorded by the BBC TV News on the anniversary of the event in 2005.

Captain John Pershing Perrin was just 25 years of age when he was killed.

Flying into history

The scene is set at ProLogis Park Stafford. A bugler plays a mournful tribute, a Mustang flies overhead and hundreds of people are united in remembrance of an heroic WWII pilot. ProLogis PR consultant Debbie Munro recalls the efforts which led to a unforgettable Fourth of July

The request was straightforward enough – they wanted some money for a good cause. Creswell Parish Council was trying to set up a small memorial to a young US pilot who had died within its boundaries during the Second World War. Would ProLogis like to contribute, on the basis that our new Stafford development was just yards away from the crash site? Yes, of course, we said we would be delighted to offer support and looked forward to an invitation when the unveiling took place. Little did we realise that this modest request would set in motion a project of international proportions. The Perrin Memorial would connect business and community, reach out to the relatives of a war hero, re-unite American and British allies and provide a lasting memorial to a significant local event.

Stricken aircraft

Decorated pilot Captain John (Jack) Pershing Perrin, of the United States Army Air Force, was just 25 when he died on Independence Day 1944. He was delivering a brand-new Mustang fighter plane to an airbase in England when it developed problems approaching Stafford. Instead of ejecting to safety, Jack stayed at the controls of his stricken aircraft long enough to steer it away from the town and outlying schools and villages, before losing control and crashing into what was then a wheat field, in Creswell. It is thought that his actions may have saved hundreds of lives.

First and last flight

Their conversation resulted in Jack’s relatives being flown over to England by ProLogis for the unveiling ceremony on – of course – July 4th. Helaine, 43, her daughter Catherine, nine, and her mother Helen Perrin, 75 - the widow of Jack's first cousin Donald Perrin – were presented with a boxed edition of the Order of Service and Stanley Jones’ book, “The First and Last Mustang Flight of a Heroic WWII American Pilot.” Jessica had organised the publication of Stanley’s story, which now included photographs of Captain Perrin and letters he had written home.

The event even connected the youngest generations, enabling them to begin to understand the united cause which brought soldiers of two continents together. Catherine laid a wreath on the memorial stone and talked to children from the local school the plane had narrowly missed, including two youngsters whose grandparents had been pupils at the time.

Never forgotten

The day itself went off without a hitch and was attended by more than 200 people, including the Mayor of Stafford, the local MP, RAF representatives and Robert Watson, CEO of ProLogis European Properties. It was featured on radio and television and in the American and British press.

“The success of the memorial ceremony is testimony to all the hard work and effort that went into organising this major event,” said Alan Sarjant, ProLogis Senior Vice President Development. “ProLogis worked closely with the local community and others to make sure this young pilot’s bravery was never forgotten. It is a fine example of corporate social responsibility.”

Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Mrs Dorothy Dixon, summed up what the memorial meant to the village. “The people of Creswell have never forgotten Captain Perrin's courage and now, all these years later, we are finally going to be able to repay our debt of gratitude to him, thanks to the generosity of ProLogis Developments.

The memorial stone is very impressive and will serve as a lasting tribute to Captain Perrin and as a reminder to future generations from Creswell and Stafford of the sacrifice he made for us all.”

Click here To see live action footage of the Captain Perrin memorial ceremony

Stafford Post Article - 4th July 2010