Sefton's Lost Voices - Joan Braid
Joan describes witnessing a US Airforce World War II B-24 Liberator bomber crashing at RAF Woodvale airfield in 1944. She also talks about life on the farm next to Woodvale and the surrounding area when she was a child. In a moving account Joan also describes how she helped the brother of one of the airman find the exact spot of the crash many years later.
Ploughing using horses in the Sefton area. Segars farm didn't get a tractor until the 1950's.
A 1930's aerial photo of Segars Farm, and the Woodvale site prior to it becoming operational in 1941.
A 1930's aerial photo of Ainsdale Village - Segars Farm and the RAF Woodvale site are just out of picture to the left.
The site of the crash photographed from Segars farm in 2022
Joan at the site of the crash in 2022
The view back to Segars Farm houses from the crash site - the B-24 flew over this area before crashing.
A US Airforce bomber crew at Woodvale
A USAF bomber crew at the Palace Hotel in Birkdale. The Palace Hotel was used at a rest home for GI's and US aircrews.
Sunnyside Mansions Hotel in Birkdale - used for recreational activities and dances.
American personnel enjoying coffee and snacks at the ARC American Service Club, Sunnyside Mansions Hotel.