The Red Feather Club, Horham UK
On the site of U.S.A.A.F. Station 119
Preserved from 1981; Open to the public beginning in 2000
History
When the U. S. Army Air Force left their base in Horham, Station 119, it reverted to the Royal Air Force. The RAF closed the base in 1948. It remained virtually intact until 1963, when it was declared surplus property and sold at public auction, going mostly to local farmers. The control tower was demolished around this time. Many of the buildings were used to raise chickens, rabbits, and mushrooms or to store grain and farm equipment. In 1981, a local group of enthusiasts known as Friends of the 95th bought a few remaining buildings and raised money to re-roof and insulate a room that housed the famous murals painted in 1944 by Staff Sgt. Nathan Bindler. This room was part of the Red Feather Club, the non- commissioned officers’ (NCO) club, which derived its name from the 95th Bomb Group emblem (red feather on a shield). The original Red Feather Club opened in March 1944 because the NCO ground crew did not have their own club. The Ground Executive at the time authorized the use of the base library, known as “The Institute,” to be converted to the club and got permission for a group from base to go to London to salvage furnishings from a bombed-out hotel. They returned with a beautiful wooden bar with brass railing that caused the officers to spruce up their own club. A third club on base, the Aero Club, served the enlisted air crewmen. These latter two clubs do not survive.
Present Day
In the intervening years, other local preservationists came forward and a couple of other groups were formed to help preserve the site. Finally, in 2003, the groups merged to form the present-day 95th Bomb Group Heritage Association, ready to do whatever it took to bring the Red Feather Club back to life – and they have! Volunteers have spent thousands of hours restoring the buildings and enhancing the site. All restoration work has been done to ensure that the buildings are as close as possible to their original appearance.
Veterans Ben Roujansky and Bob Fay in front of the Memorial Wall in 2012.
Today the Red Feather Club, a U. K. registered charity, is a vibrant, living museum, housing a wealth of 95th Bomb Group artifacts and memorabilia, and dedicated solely to honoring the men of the 95th. Within the museum is a memorial wall listing the names of the 637 men who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the 95th.
In 2010, the Board of Directors of the 95th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation passed a resolution recognizing the Red Feather Club in Horham as the official 95th Bomb Group public museum in the United Kingdom.
Open days are held from spring to fall, and 1940s dances, film shows, talks, and educational visits from schools and groups happen year-round. In addition to the Red Feather Club, the Guardroom, located outside the main complex of buildings, was built by the 1285th Military Police Company re-enactors, who have made the Red Feather Club site their home. For more information about the museum and 95th BG Heritage Association, visit their website: http://95thbg-horham.com
Lt. Col. Robert C. Cozens Bench – Dedicated September 2012
Located on the grounds of the Red Feather Club, this memorial bench honors one of the 95th Bomb Group’s leaders in war and peace. Lt. Col. Robert C. Cozens, Squadron Commander of the 335th Squadron and one of the original cadre, flew deputy lead in one of the deadliest missions flown by the 95th , the mission to Kiel on June 13, 1943. When the lead plane was struck, Lt. Cozens pulled into position, rallying the others and leading them home that day.
Almost forty-nine years later, Bob Cozens, in civilian life, made these remarks at the dedication ceremony for a memorial (at Parham Airfield, U.K.) to those lost in the Kiel mission: “On that Sunday in June, the 95th Bomb Group sent forth more than 260 of its finest airmen to attempt to destroy the shipyards at Kiel in Northern Germany. Over 100 of those men did not return to Framlingham from that mission on that day. . . . Combat within and between nations continues in various parts of our world today, but within the confines of the European battlefield of the 1940s, relative peace reigns. . . . In that respect, our fallen comrades did not die in vain! . . . Let all who enjoy that peace today join in thanks to those who gave up their lives to achieve it. . . . They completed their mission for peace in a gallant manner.”
As an active member of the post-war veterans’ association (95th Bomb Group (H) Association), Bob had the foresight to lead the formation of a successor group to carry on the Association’s mission of honoring their fallen comrades and educating the public about the 95th ’s contribution to the air war over Europe during WWII. Consequently, the 95 th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation was formed in 1995 and oversees the six memorials officially established by the Association or Foundation. Cozens led the Foundation as an officer and board member until his death.