Global Journey to Commemorate Great Grandfather

A woman undertook a journey exceeding 7,000 miles (11,265km) to participate in a World War Two memorial event. Camille Dahmen, who resides and pursues her education in Hawaii, journeyed to Newbury, Berkshire, to attend a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the aircraft accident that claimed the life of her great grandfather. An annual service is conducted to honor individuals who served at Greenham Common throughout the war. Ms. Dahmen’s interest in history was sparked upon her initial attendance at the ceremony 16 years prior; currently pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science, she came back for the memorial held on Thursday. Her great grandfather, 2nd Lt Charles A. Crooks, perished on 15 December 1944, following a collision between two B-17 aircraft amidst adverse weather conditions and low cloud cover above Greenham Common. Approximately six weeks subsequent to this event, his wife, Bettie, delivered their daughter, Christina, who is Ms. Dahmen’s grandmother. Bettie subsequently married Dr. James C. Nofziger, an American animal nutritionist, and Ms. Dahmen was raised in Los Angeles. She stated that her attendance at the 2008 memorial inspired her resolve to pursue historical studies. “I was determined to get the best job and the best opportunity and to work with collections, especially regarding World War Two,” she affirmed. She added, “This is something that has been part of my soul from the moment I can remember anything… but it truly manifested when I came here.” She attributed her deep interest in history partly to her family. “They are such historians, they are such storytellers,” she commented. She then posed, “How could I not be interested in all of this?” The circumstances surrounding the events at Greenham Common remained largely unknown until recently, as noted by amateur historian Paul Hilton. He mentioned that he initially learned of the B-17 crash at Greenham Common during the 1990s, but locating the official accident report required eight years of effort. “The families didn’t know what actually happened, they just know that their family was killed,” he explained. Over a decade later, an annual ceremony is now conducted, and the memorial itself was dedicated by Princess Anne. “I was just doing a bit of aviation history,” Mr. Hilton remarked. He added, “[I’m] amazed what actually came of [it].” Ms. Dahmen, currently the same age her great grandfather was at the time of his death, expressed her fortune in knowing the details of his fate. “I’ve talked to many, many individuals who do not know where their loved ones are, they are still missing in action,” she stated. She continued, “I’m so very, very grateful to know where my great grandfather was, what happened to him.” Ms. Dahmen described her return for the memorial as a “full circle” experience. “Everything that inspires me in my day-to-day life is my family and my family history, so to make the trip was an absolute must,” she explained. She also noted the significant meaning the event held for her family, particularly her grandmother. “I’m at the age now where I can actually understand the weight of losing a parent that you never knew,” she reflected. She concluded, “I know that it meant so much to her heart and her soul… for me to be here on the 80th anniversary, 16 years later, doing what I do in life, I cannot even express into words how grateful I am – how much I hope my great grandfather Charlie is looking down on us.”