The good folk of the village of Holsbeek in Flemish Brabant again marked the anniversary of the crash of an RAF Mosquito during the closing stages of the Second World War. The craft's pilot and navigator both perished. Michael Ryalls, the pilot’s son, attended this 80th anniversary of the crash, possibly for the last time.
Flemish sparkling wine for pilot’s son attending 80th anniversary of RAF Mosquito's crash
Colin Clapson
Published:
The RAF Mosquito crashed on Mees Hill on the night of Boxing Day 1944. In 2012 the pilot’s family started attending the ceremony held in Holsbeek. Michael Ryalls was two years old when his father died and age is now slowly catching up with him. The trip all the way from Britain’s Cornwall and the boat trip to the continent are becoming increasingly difficult explains Steven Volckaerts, a Fleming who researches warplanes that crashed in Belgium.
Michael is grateful the good folk of Holsbeek commemorate the anniversary of the crash each year. A remembrance cross now stands at the crash site. Herman and Gerda Van Goidsenhoven, who run the local winery Chartreuzeberg christened 400 of their latest sparking wine ‘Cuvée Mosquito’ to mark the 80th anniversary of the crash. Michael and his wife accepted a gift of several bottles that will accompany them home to Cornwall.