Wings for Victory

The `Wings for Victory' parade, Aylsham, May 1943, captured by Richard Beard a master mariner who served as a Squadron Leader, based at Coltishall, during World War II.

Although visuals are poor, this film does give a flavour of one town’s experience of ‘Wings for Victory’ week. In Aylsham, Norfolk, a parade of servicemen, nurses, Women’s Voluntary Service (the WVS), and Girl Guides, parade through the town centre. It is possible to see at the film’s conclusion an aerial display of fighter aircraft. This footage was captured by Richard Beard, a master mariner who served as a Squadron Leader, based at Coltishall, during World War II.

The RAF equivalent of Warship Week, almost every town had ‘Wings for Victory’ fundraising weeks to help pay for new aircrafts. Wings for Victory was prominent in Aylsham as successive RAF and USAAF Squadrons were stationed at nearby Oulton and housed at Blickling Hall. In 1943, when this film was shot, it was decided that the national scheme would raise funds to pay for more bombers. Aimed to raise £100,000; the actual amount raised was £179,000.