Britain’s Ministry of Defence has announced a major £167 million investment at RAF Marham, East Anglia. The money will be used to upgrade and build new facilities at the base, which is the future home of the UK’s F-35B Lightning II squadrons. The injection of funds will generate 300 new jobs on site, with plans for demolition and cabling works, followed by new construction works. Three new buildings will be built which will provide training facilities for pilots and ground crew, and allow the whole F-35B fleet to be managed from a single location once ready for service. Works will be managed by sub-contractors BAE Systems, and are due for completion in 2018.
The loss of a D-Day veteran’s medals has struck a national chord, with a campaign underway to return them. Alfred Barlow, 96, was returning from a pilgrimage to Normandy when after visiting the bathrooms at Norton Canes Services, his family realised his medals were missing. Mr Barlow was a Corporal in 3rd Reconnaissance Regt, landed on Sword Beach on D-Day. The missing medals are: 1939-1945 Star; The France & Germany Star; 1939-1945 War Medal; and The Palestine Medal. Crimestoppers have offered £5,000 for information leading to the recovery of the medals and subsequent convictions. This comes after actor Hugh Grant offered £1,000 for the safe return of the medals, with Blind Veterans UK also offering £5,000. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or Blind Veterans UK on 0800 389 7979.
