75th Anniversary of Kirkwall's Aviation Disaster

That the Parliament marks the 75th anniversary of a US liberator bomber crashing on the outskirts of Kirkwall during the Second World War; understands that the aircraft was returning to the UK from an abortive mission in Norway when it crashed in the early hours of 31 March 1945; notes that the disaster resulted in all but one of the eight American crew and six Norwegian servicemen on board being tragically killed, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in Orkney’s history; acknowledges that a stone plaque was presented in 2015 by the family of Gjerulf Ottersland, one of the victims in the crash, in memory of all those who sadly lost their lives; recognises that the scene of the crash is now known as Liberator Drive, with a memorial built by Orkney builders consisting of a stone wall with plaque inset, a cross of paving slabs, outlying slabs to mark the size of the aircraft and fourteen trees planted to represent each person on board the aircraft; acknowledges that, while the COVID-19 crisis curtailed plans for a more significant gathering, the 75th anniversary was thankfully marked by the Norwegian Consul, Leslie Burgher, who placed flowers at the memorial; pays tribute to all those who sadly passed away in this disaster, and hopes that this poignant event is continued to be remembered each year so that their memories are never forgotten.