From  Vestfynske mindesmærker vedrørende Besættelsestiden 1940-1945
               (Memorials on West Funen concerning the Occupation 1940-1945)  by Viggo Hansen, Assens to  www.airmen.dk

Cutting from the newspaper ASSENS AMTS AVIS 17.5.1950:

Beautiful dedication of the memorial to airmen in Gamtofte

Several hundred people participated in the ceremony attended by the parents of the young captain of the air force

”Where the horror of disaster prevailed 6 years ago when the English aircraft (LAN ME726) crashed near the church of Gamtofte, several hundred people gathered yesterday afternoon to attend the solemn unveiling of the memorial to the young airmen who met their destiny here. Besides residents of the area and several citizens of Assens, also the parents of the pilot, Mr. and Mrs. Presland, and representatives of military and civilian authorities, the Home Guard, the Defence Brothers and veterans of World War I were present.

Threatening clouds gathered about 2 o´clock just before the ceremony, but that did not deter people who from all sides poured to the small church, which on this occasion was prettily decorated with flowers. Every seat in the church was occupied when the flags were taken to the choir. After the first hymn “Now all of us thank God” the Reverend Villy Finnerup spoke. He pointed out that we ought to thank God that our small country was spared. We can and must lay everything in his hand. During the five dark years, which in a way became the brightest of this century, we sensed that behind all violence and waging of war there was a battle of the spirit. We saw how Danish resistance fighters joined this battle. The most ardent prayers were said.

It was not the parishioners or the priests who said them. It was the doomed. When the curtain between them and others had descended they prayed – not for themselves but that their battle should not be wasted. We had a king, who stood proud and fearless, because he was shown a way before God. Whether these airmen came from religious homes or not they were supported by prayers. – The mother who was waiting could do nothing but pray – intensely and ardently. It is right that we begin by
letting our thoughts ascend. The beautiful hymn “Mægtigste Kriste” (“Mightiest Christ”) then sounded through the church, and later the second stanza of “Du, Herre Krist” (“Thou, Christ Our Lord”). Then people left the church to gather at the memorial stone.

The young airmen bought freedom with their blood
Farmer L. C. Petersen, Engmosegaard, who was in charge of the arrangement, welcomed everyone at the memorial stone and thanked the standard bearers, representatives of authorities and contributors.

Before the unveiling the Reverend Finnerup spoke:

We are gathered to commemorate a Canadian and 7 English airmen unknown to us. We do it by erecting a memorial stone on this day when, 6 years and some hours
ago, they met death on this spot. It has struck me that we Danes have cut a poor figure. We have not really realized that this was some of the price to pay so that we
could keep our freedom. It struck me, when the captain´s parents visited us. We saw the unknown killed airmen, but had we seen the grief, we would have understood better. Our conditions today have been bought with blood. These young people gave what they had.  We will look at the young leader’s parents and say: Forgive us, who were undeservedly spared and saved, we who only received.

Police sergeant Nissen and police inspector Jensen-Frøbjerg then unveiled the stone which was covered by the RAF-standard and the Dannebrog. The inscription read:

Denmark thanks these sons of England  who were overtaken by death here on 16 May 1944

Then the names of the deceased airmen: E.J. Presland (Prestland), A.E. Slade, B.J. Hudson, M.L. Abrahamson (Abramson), A.W. Knap (Knapp), C. Ashcroft,
R.E. Leatham and A.G. Wrigth (Wright). — (The correct names in brackets)

At the bottom it says: Erected by the residents of the Parish of Gamtofte 16 May 1950

Chief constable Andresen, Assens, conveyed the compliments and thanks from the Danish authorities to the brave airmen who fought for the cause of the Allies, which
was and still is our cause. We, who lived through the difficult years, remember when the big birds flew south. We wondered if the airmen were allowed to see their loved ones again. Not  all were. These young airmen now rest in Danish soil. The memory of them will not die.

No words can express our gratitude
Wing Commander Braig thanked on behalf of his service for the understanding shown here, where his young compatriots had lost their lives in the battle for freedom. Many men from many nations have died away from their homes. Some rest beneath a simple cross. Others have no other memorial but the sky and the clouds above their graves. It is a fortune that these young men found a resting place here. More than 40 memorials have been erected to the RAF in this country since 1945. They contribute to keep the memory of our common goals and our common heritage. No words can express how much we value what has been done. I say quite simply, I thank you. Mr. Braig´s speech was translated into Danish by language teacher Brandes, Odense.

Many wreaths laid solemnly
Mr. Presland then went to the memorial stone and laid a wreath. It was a moving moment where all present felt with the two parents. Commander Braig laid a wreath from the RAF and chief constable Andresen laid a wreath from the Danish authorities.  A. M. Justesen, Odense, laid a wreath from the American Legion while he in a beautiful way drew the attention to the significance of good fellowship. From the Red Cross a wreath was laid by accountant Bent Martensen, Assens, who spoke beautifully to the parents and thanked them for their son´s effort. Chairman of the parish council Ejlert H. Jørgensen laid a wreath from the Municipality of Gamtofte. Deputy judge Valentiner Branth, Assens, laid flowers from the Home Guard and brewer J. Larsen laid flowers from the Defence Brothers in Assens.

Mr. or Mrs. Presland intended to have spoken, but both of them were so overwhelmingly moved that they were unable to do it. They silently stepped up to the stone.
Mrs. Presland wore her son´s awards. The Reverend Finnerup mentioned that it was the married couple´s eldest son who had found death. The youngest had fought
against the Japanese, but had got home unharmed. The young captain, who lost his life on his 41^st sortie, was awarded 4 times – last time with the most distinguished award 8 months before he was killed.

Then the ceremony had ended, but the crowd was slow to disperse. Many people silently laid flowers at the foot of the memorial stone in the beautiful spot between the blossoming fruit trees.”