IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Elmswell Road, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, IP31 3HQ

The sign is double sided. Close look of this face https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6218249 South face https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6218253

Great Ashfield is two sided sign and is surmounted on this side by a shield bearing the pierced crown of St Edmund supported by leaves. Below the name is the unmistakable image of a B17 Fortress of the 385 Bomb Group which flew from the airfield here during World War Two. Immediately below the aircraft is the Lord Thurlow village hall. In the foreground is a man with horse drawn plough, and a cock pheasant, representing the agricultural heritage of the parish. The other side https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6218253 is surmounted by a shield with the emblem of the 385th Bombardment Group bearing the motto “Ales Victoria” (Winged Victory). Below the name is the unmistakable image of a B17 Fortress of the 385 Bomb Group bearing the ‘square G’ tail marking flying over the parish church of All Saints. The Saxon Cross, on the right, it stands in the grounds of Great Ashfield House. Prior to it being moved there in 1786 it served as a footbridge across the small stream leading to All Saints Church. Its origin dates from the 9th to the 12th century. On the left is a wheatsheaf and wild flowers which illustrate in some way, the agricultural and natural environment of the parish.

This side is surmounted by a shield bearing the emblem of the 385th Bombardment Group bearing the motto “Ales Victoria” (Winged Victory). Below the name is the unmistakable image of a B17 Fortress of the 385 Bomb Group bearing the ‘square G’ tail marking flying over the parish church of All Saints. The Saxon Cross, on the right, it stands in the grounds of Great Ashfield House. Prior to it being moved there in 1786 it served as a footbridge across the small stream leading to All Saints Church. Its origin dates from the 9th to the 12th century. On the left is a wheatsheaf and wild flowers which illustrate in some way, the agricultural and natural environment of the parish. The other side https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6218249 is surmounted by a shield bearing the pierced crown of St Edmund supported by leaves. Below the name is the unmistakable image of a B17 Fortress of the 385 Bomb Group which flew from the airfield here during World War Two. Immediately below the aircraft is the Lord Thurlow village hall. In the foreground is a man with horse drawn plough, and a cock pheasant, representing the agricultural heritage of the parish.

The sign depicts All Saints Church, A B-17 bomber from WW2 and the Saxon cross. The village is close to RAF Great Ashfield which was home to USAAF 8th Air Force 385th Bombardment Group from 1943 to 1945. This represents just 2 years in the 1000 years plus history of the village. The village is listed in the Domesday Book as having 67 inhabitants. The Saxon cross is now located in the next grid square http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/13602 having been found in the church yard in 1786 where it had been used as a footbridge across a stream.

An exhibition about the WW1 airfield is in progress. A memorial on the old airfield (which is private land) has recently been erected. Great Ashfield airfield was otherwise known as RAF Elmswell. From 1942 it was a U.S.A.A.F. airbase for 385th BG (H) until the end of the war. After the war, the airfield reverted to RAF control and it came under Maintenance Command as a sub-site for bomb storage before being finally abandoned and sold in 1955.

Weather vane great Ashfield, Suffolk.

This former primary school is now the village hall for Great Ashfield. A modern extension has been added to the rear of the original building.

It looks as though it may have been a chapel originally.