A MEMORIAL to the 17 young airmen who died at Wolvercote Aerodrome during the First World War will be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of the final death.

A stone memorial and information boards paying tribute to the men – who were aged between 19 and 29 when they died – is close to completion and will be unveiled in May.

The unveiling will be attended by the RAF along with a relative of the youngest airman to die – Alexander Anstey, who died 100 years ago yesterday.

Port Meadow was used as a training ground for the Royal Flying Corps – later the RAF – during the First World War.

Former city councillor, and architect, Mike Gotch, took care of the design and planning side of the scheme.

He said it would make people aware of the meadow’s former use and lives lost there for generations to come.

He said: “Most people have no idea there was ever an airfield there, let alone a number of large buildings – and why should they, there are no visible remains.

“It’s very important people recognise that during the First World War these men flew from Port Meadow on behalf of Britain and lost their lives.

“It’s had universal approval, I’m thrilled it’s coming to a head and will pay tribute to the 17 young airmen who were killed.”

It was initially hoped the memorial would be ready for the 100th anniversary of the first death – in March 1917 – but it will now definitely be finished in time for the centenary of the final fatalities.

Captain Lenox Arbuthnot, a 22-year-old experienced pilot, and his passenger, Second Lieutenant Albert Scholes, 21, were killed instantly when their powerful two-seater Bristol fighter hit the Port Meadow ground on November 1, 1918 – just 10 days before the armistice.

Chairman of the project’s committee and local historian, Peter Smith, said it had entered the ‘delivery phase’ and the stone had been ordered.

He said: “Having successfully raised £11,000, the first phase of the foundation for the new grant memorial was installed recently.

“The city council has been very supportive and helpful with us progressing this project.

“There are expected to be some additional costs, which we hope can be contained within the funding raised, otherwise we will need to seek more.”

During the war, the meadow, which was first established as an airfield in 1911 accommodated 10 large canvas hangars and several hundred personnel at its peak.

The 17 men who died there were a mixture of trainees, instructors and combat veterans, most in their 20s. Four had gallantry medals.

Eight of the men are buried in Wolvercote Cemetery, one in Botley, two in Ascot and the rest in their home towns.