On Sunday the 24th March, Wemians gathered at the War Memorial to remember the 75th Anniversery of the “Great Escape and the execution of 50 escapees”. One of their number was Flt Lt C D Swain who grew up in Wem and was baptised in Wem Parish Church, before joining the Royal Air Force in August of 1936. As a member of 105 Sqn flying a Blenhelm Mk IV Pathfinder aircraft, he was shot down over Dusseldorf, captured and became a POW, he was eventually imprisioned at Stalag Luft III. After the escape (on the night of 24/25th March 1944) he was apprehended and subsequently executed, with the other 49 chosen on the direct order of Adolf Hitler, on the 31st March 1944. The Service was concluded in the church with a wreath dedicated to his memory and the opportunity to view his baptism record.
