On Saturday morning 18th May 2019 a memorial stone was dedicated to RAF Cardington in front of the former Station HQ. This was only made possible by Bellway Homes who have been working on the site to turn it into a residential development. They not only financed the memorial but also designed it. There were strict guidelines to adhere to from the RAF in that any stone had to be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings. Local authority regulations had to be followed re height restrictions due to the proximity of the memorial to residential buildings

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Guests included representatives from nearby RAF Henlow, Dave Hodgson, the Mayor of Bedford, Susan Lousada the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, and Jacek Bernasinski from the Polish Ex-combatants Association amongst others. The memorial was unveiled by Mr Michael Lousada a son of Group Captain Lousada who was CO at the station from 1956-1959. In July 1959 Group Captain Lousada had the honour to receive the Freedom of Bedford on behalf of the station in a full ceremony in Bedford so it was quite fitting that his son should unveil a memorial stone almost 60 years later.

Prior to the service guests met up in the Shorts Building where history stands from Beds and Luton Archives, The Shuttleworth Collection, The Balloon and Barrage Reunion Club, The Airship Heritage Trust, Bedford RAFA and RAF Cardington Camp History Studies were on show. Half an hour later guests were directed outside to the front of the building and gathered around the memorial stone.

Sqn Leader Emrys Rogers, the Deputy Station Commander from RAF Henlow opened the ceremony with a welcoming speech. Henlow had strong historic links to RAF Cardington so it was most appropriate that the station was represented here. Next came an interesting talk from Stuart Hadaway from the Air Historical Branch (RAF) outlining the history of the station which enthralled all guests. He then handed over to Michael Lousada who bravely carried on despite a sudden downpour. He regaled everyone with tales of his father’s time at the station much to the delight of all present. Mr Lousads then unexpectedly invited shocked local historian Jane Harvey (me!) to join him in unveiling the stone and together we removed the Union Jack. Flowers were then presented by Air Cadets from the Air Training Corps 134 Sqn (this Squadron is still based on the site but now in a new purpose built HQ) to Mr Lousada and also to Susan Lousada. The memorial was then formerly blessed by Dawn Colley, Rev (Sqn Ldr) Station Chaplain at Henlow.

Now thoroughly drenched guests returned to the Shorts Building for a chance to dry off and mingle before moving on to the nearby Air Cadets HQ for refreshments served by two Shortstown ladies. To seal a great morning locals at Shortstown were treated to a Flypast at 14.06 of a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight team.