Hunstanton flood memorial service held
A memorial service took place on Sunday in Hunstanton to remember those who died in the great flood of 1953 on the 69th anniversary of the tragic event.
The 1953 North Sea flood was a major flood caused by a heavy storm at the end of Saturday, January 31, and into the morning of the next day.
The combination of wind, high tide, and low pressure caused the sea to flood land up to 18.4ft above mean sea level.
Members of the community attended the service on Sunday on the Esplanade in Hunstanton at the war memorial, where the American and Union flags were flying high.
Hunstanton mayor Adrian Winnington welcomed and made his address and laid the first wreath on the 69th anniversary of the flood.
A wreath was laid by members of the 67th Special Operations Squadron, representing the enduring link between the town and the US servicemen who did so much that terrible night to save the lives of townsfolk.
Ian Brown, best known for his work at the RAF Sculthorpe heritage centre, staff sergeant Vinnie Telmanik of the US Air Force and HM Coastguard Steve Willsher also unveiled the sign on the newly-named Freeman A Kilpatrick Way, in Hunstanton.
This is named after Staff Sergeant Freeman A Kilpatrick who noticed an increasing amount of water outside his rented property on South Beach Road, Hunstanton, and during the flood saved the lives of 18 people, including his wife and daughter.
He was awarded the George Medal for his heroism on that fateful night.
