A new memorial honoring Royal Air Force marine craft crews is scheduled to be unveiled next week at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas. The dedication ceremony is set for Tuesday at 2 p.m. and will recognize the service and sacrifices of marine craft personnel who operated from 1918 until the unit’s disbandment in 1986.

During their operational years, the marine craft crews played a crucial role in maritime rescue missions, saving or assisting in the rescue of 13,619 lives at sea. Notably, between February 1941 and May 1945, they rescued more than 7,000 allied aircrew from the waters around Britain, with a majority returning to active duty. The crews often faced perilous conditions, including extreme weather, enemy fire, and minefields, while operating small, fast boats. The service suffered the loss of about 172 crew members killed in action, and 106 personnel received decorations recognizing gallantry or sustained service.

The memorial takes the form of an upright polished black granite stone. Its front face is intricately engraved with the badge and motto of the Air Sea Rescue Service, alongside images of marine craft on the sides and a listing of post-war units on the rear.

The unveiling ceremony will feature a prayer, hymn, and wreath-laying, with approximately 70 veterans expected to attend to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and former colleagues. This memorial installation serves as a lasting tribute to the bravery and vital contributions of the RAF marine craft crews across nearly seven decades of service.