Memorial to 12 Squadron and 626 Squadron of RAF Wickenby

The memorial to 12 Squadron and 626 Squadron of RAF Wickenby is situated next to the gated entrance of Wickenby Airfield. It marks the southern end of a memorial walk, which features a line of trees commemorating members of RAF Wickenby personnel.

The memorial is made of tapering Derbyshire gritstone and stands on a broad base with three steps. Each step has a slight overhang to allow for the placement of wreaths and floral tributes. On either side of the pylon are bronze representations of the two squadron badges. The front face of the memorial features a bronze figure of Icarus falling from the sky. This figure, cast using the lost wax process, evokes the framework of Icarus’s wings created by his father Daedalus, as well as the airframe of the aircraft that operated from the airfield. The figure depicts Icarus plummeting, screaming, as his body disintegrates and his left hand reaches to protect his head.

Below the figure is a dedicatory inscription that reads: "ROYAL AIR FORCE/ WICKENBY/ NO 1 GROUP BOMBER COMMAND/ 1942 – 1945/ IN MEMORY OF/ ONE THOUSAND AND EIGHTY MEN/ OF 12 & 626 SQUADRONS/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES ON/ OPERATIONS FROM THIS AIRFIELD/ IN THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST GERMANY/ AND THE LIBERATION/ OF OCCUPIED EUROPE/ PER ARDUA AD ASTRA."