Harwell GeoCache Series
After our recent GeoCache Series at Great Western Park (GWP) (cache #1-11, 14, 17-19) and in central Didcot (cache #12-13, 15-16, 20-25), we decided to place a few more caches in other parts of Didcot and surrounding villages, in order to honour local heros, and to reflect our rich local history, stories and heritage. We hope you will enjoy these new caches and may also learn something when you are caching, thank you!
Harwell #26 - RAF D-Day Commemorative Stone (officially known as War Memorial #2489 ~ Harwell - RAF D-day Stone)
The 38 Group RAF D-Day Commemoration Stone (also known as the RAF Harwell Memorial Stone) marks the departure point for Servicemen who were amongst the first to land on D-Day. This is organised by the Royal British Legion Harwell Branch and supported by the Harwell Campus management. The stone is currently located opposite Frome Road and Perimeter Road junction at end of the old runway.
Every year, the annual D-Day Commemoration service will be held at this stone on/around D-Day.
On the Saturday nearest to the anniversary of D-Day, a parade and a commemoration service will be held at this stone.
An online article in 2009 introduces the commemoration service (weblink: https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/News/LatestNews/09_06_09.html):
Before the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) took over the Harwell site in 1946, it had been an airfield for the previous nine years, known as RAF Harwell. During World War II, six Horsa gliders towed by Halifax bombers carrying the Coup de Main party consisting of four platoons from D Company and two platoons from B Company 2nd Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry under the command of Major John Howard, took off from RAF Tarrant Rushton in Dorset, these were the first to land in Normandy at 0016hrs 6 June by what is now Pegasus and Horsa Bridges at Benouville.
The gliders, that took off from RAF Harwell were the second wave containing the rest of 2nd Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry who landed at Ranville later on D-Day after the seaborne landings had commenced.
This historic event is now known as the D-Day landings and every year war veterans and members of the local community gather at the Memorial Stone (pictured above) to remember those who took off from the RAF Harwell airstrip, which is now half covered up by Diamond.
In attendance were local units of the Royal British Legion, the Air Army Corps, Air Training Cadets and RAF Associations, to name but a few. In attendance every year are members of the Guinea Pig Club, a charity formed during the Second World War by airmen who were undergoing pioneering plastic surgery medical treatment for burns sustained in battle. In previous years the Guinea Pigs have visited Diamond ahead of the ceremony and this year Physical Sciences Director Prof. Trevor Rayment (pictured right with Guinea Pig Club member Jack Perry) met them at the Royal British Legion in Harwell to update them on the latest news from Diamond.
During the service wreaths were laid at the Memorial Stone (pictured below) by representatives of each group in attendance, together with single stem poppies laid by children from the nearby Chilton Primary School. Each year, one of Diamond's directors attends the ceremony and lays down a wreath in rememberance. In position since July 2008, this year was the first opportunity for Prof. Trevor Rayment to take part and he laid a wreath on behalf of Diamond.
"I was honoured to take part in this historical ceremony along with my colleagues from the many other science and business facilities on the Harwell site. It was a pleasure to meet members of the Guinea Pig Club earlier in the day and update them on Diamond's progress. They provide a living link to Harwell's history."
Prof. Trevor Rayment, Physical Sciences Director, Diamond Light Source
About this multi-cache:
This is our 5th multi-cache, and it is placed in remembrance of the brave men and women from 38 Group RAF who served during WWII and helped with the D-Day landing.
At the published coordinates, you will see the commemoration stone. The top of stone has some texts beginning with "THIS STONE MARKS ...", and the number of words on the second line equals A.
The two digits mentioned on the third line are BC.
The aircrafts of RAF took off on the night of Dth June 19EF, as mentioned on the fifth line.
The RAF aircrafts carried the troops from the Gth Airborne Division who were the first British Soldiers to land in Normandy.
The number of letters in the last word of the bottom line equals H.
The final coordinates are some distance away at:
N51 34. (A - B) (C - D - 2) (B)
W001 18. ( (D + G + H + 1) / G ) ( C / (E + F) ) (C - E - F)
The checksum of all the digits in the final coordinates is 33.
This cache is a bison tube and hanging on a tree, so please be safe and careful, especially when visiting with GeoKids and/or GeoPets. Please expect muggles at most times of the day.
Please also respect the local residents when searching for the cache. You do not need to enter any private land.
Please also note:
Please bring your own pen, and open & close the cache lid carefully so the cache and log book can survive longer. You might need a tweezer to help retrieve the log paper.
Please also replace exactly as found due to obvious reason, and please be careful with the possible thorns, stinging nettles, and overhead tree branches! Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended.
Thank you and enjoy GeoCaching!
FTF: Congratulations to rosela and Team MMK for their Joint FTF on 6 December 2025!
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Just-Us-Two know first at justustwo1013@gmail.com so they can keep track of the memorial numbers and names to avoid any duplication.