A HERO'S grave has been given a facelift.

The new look to Canadian Air Force pilot, Arthur Lesley Brown's river side monument will be unveiled on Sunday with civic and military honours.

The original grave at Nantwich was crumbling and members of the Cheshire Regiment Association, responsible for its upkeep, decided to make a bid for millennium cash to smarten it up and make it safer.

It is one of the points of interest on the town's tourist trail and there are plans for an information point nearby featuring the stories behind the brave serviceman's sacrifice and the grateful town's memorial.

It was in January 1944 that Lt Brown, on a top secret mission, flew over Nantwich. When the engine of his Thunderbolt failed he struggled to bring the plane down clear of the town, avoiding devastation and death in the community.

The machine nose-dived near the river, just avoiding Shrewbridge Road. It fell into quicksand and sank before the body of the courageous pilot could be recovered.

Lt Brown, known by his second name Lesley (his mother's maiden name), remains buried at the spot with all but the tail of his plane. That was recovered and whisked away by the investigating Air Force team who would reveal nothing about his mission.

At Sunday's re-dedication service and ceremony his noble act of saving the town rather than himself will be remembered. So will the kindness and dedication of a woman who devoted the following years to establishing and tending a grave.

Mrs Gladys Henshall, who died earlier this year, was Brown Owl of the 4th Nantwich Brownies at the time. She and her pack made contact with Lesley's mother and after a grave was established made sure there was always fresh flowers on it.

One of the brownies who helped has continued the tradition. Mrs Margaret Brown will also have a special place of honour at Sunday's ceremony.

She intends to carry on supplying and placing flowers on Lesley's grave and also retains the close links with the airman's family, established by Gladys who played host to the family when they visited.

Lt Brown has a sister Dorothy, living in Long Island, USA. Unfortunately both she and her husband, Walter, are unwell and unable to travel to the re-dedication.

"We are sorry that Gladys and Lesley's family won't be with us on Sunday, but they will be in our thoughts," said local Cheshire Regiment Association vice chairman Norman Nevitt.

He and secretary Tom Hodginson have spearheaded the plans for refurbishment which has cost £6,665. Most of the money has come from a millennium Landfill Tax grant obtained through waste and environment company, 3C. The borough council's special fund for year 2000 projects chipped in with £650. Contributions also came from Lesley's family, the Henshalls, Browns and local company Rawlinsons.

"The idea of refurbishing the grave came after we planted a commemorative oak tree nearby. As we walked past the grave we all felt it was a pity something couldn't be done to spruce it up. The slate was splitting and visitors could have been injured. Someone came up with the idea of applying for some of the money available this year. The 3C grant is apparently one of the largest they have been involved with," said Mr Nevitt.

The original grave of slate has been replaced by one of York stone. A larger, red bricked surround has been added, providing a cleaner and more solid base for visitors and for annual ceremonies including one on Remembrance Sunday.

"It doesn't mark the exact spot where the plane went in. That lies under the path and grassed area nearby," Mr Nevitt explained.

The reburbishment work has been carried out by Wrenbury based C & H Construction Ltd. Boss Nigel Cliffe with colleagues David Hill and Philip Moss-Noden have also laid a base for an information point close by.

"They've done a great job at a very reasonable cost, putting in a little bit extra for nothing and we are grateful," said Mr Nevitt.

On parade for Sunday's service and ceremony will be members of the Association, other ex-servicement and standards, civic leaders including the borough mayor and town council chairman. American and British Air Force units will also be represented.

A flag that has flown over the American capital in Lt Brown's honour will be used during the ceremony and will later be placed in the parish church along with a citation.

A replica of the flag will also be presented to the Red Lion pub as a thank you to landlady Yvonne Dodds for help in providing accomodation free of charge for service representatives visiting the grave.

The association is hoping the people of Nantwich will join in Sunday's re-dedication.

"Lesley's brave act was for the town. The association's efforts have also been for the town. That's what it's all about," said Mr Nevitt.

The service and ceremony at the grave on the river side of Shrewbridge Road will begin at 3pm on Sunday.

THE GUARDIAN has been contacted by members of an American Legion Veterans Post at Pearl River, New York, where Lesley's mother Nettie lived. They want to honour him if they can establish that he was born or lived there. Their quest for information is being taken up by the Association.

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