Fallen Icarus

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by burlington, Dec 13, 2005.

  1. burlington

    burlington Member

    The inscription on this memorial reads:

    Pro Patria.

    Pilot Officer Lancelot Steele Dixon. RAF. Killed at Winforton 9 April 1940 in the 24th year of his age.

    Mater Luctuosa Facit

    The story is that Dixon was flying over his parent's house near Hay on Wye in powys. He waggled his wings at them, and then lost control of his machine and crashed in to the River Wye.

    His mother, a noted sculptress, made this memorial for him.

    A very sad story.

    View attachment 1382
     
  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

     
  3. burlington

    burlington Member

    Yes, that is what Pro Patria means.

    As for the other piece of Latin, the precise translation seems to be 'Mother sorrowful', which in effect means exactly what you said.
     

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