Tributes paid to Harrington museum stalwart Ron

Tributes have been paid to the former chairman of the Harrington Aviation Museum Society, Ron Clarke, who has died at the age of 94.

Ron was the designated UK representative of the 801st/492nd Bomb Group Association, The Carpetbaggers, and was heavily involved in the organisation of the Carpetbagger reunions that took place here in the UK.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Carpetbagger Aviation Museum in the former group operations building on the airfield back in 1992/93 and carried out the majority of the electrical works when the museum was being formed.

He also created many of the initial exhibits in the museum and as chairman was actively involved in the running, and along with his wife Mary, in the manning of the museum until he stood down to care for Mary when she became too ill to be left alone. Mary died away in January 2019.

A society spokesman said: "Ron helped in the design of the Carpetbagger Association logo that is now also shown on the front of the renovated airfield memorial.

"Ron was made a honorary life member of the Harrington Aviation Museum Society in 2018 during the museum's 25th birthday celebrations and he will be sadly missed by all members of the society."

Ron had been involved in various ways in the Harrington airfield throughout his life.

As an apprentice electrician for Barnet and Soans he carried out electrical installation works on the new airfield buildings in 1943. During the war he served in the Royal Air Force and was later transferred to the Army.

He was well known in Kettering and the surrounding district for his interest in all aspects of aviation.

He assisted in the recovery of crashed aircraft, gave lectures to various aviation societies, wrote a number of technical books, and had articles published in aviation magazines.

Ron, an accomplished pianist, artist and sportsman, was also involved in the design and construction of the memorial on the Harrington airfield which was dedicated in 1987.