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Image shows detail on the bronze statue of Arthur Aaron VC which stands on Eastgate roundabout. It is the work of sculptor, Graham Ibbeson of Barnsley and was unveiled on 24th March 2001. Arthur Aaron (1922-1943) was born in Gledhow, attending Gledhow Primary and Roundhay Schools. He went on to study architecture at Leeds College of Art before joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1941. He gained his pilot's wings in 1942 and took part in campaigns over Germany. On the night of 12th August 1943 Flight Sergeant Aaron was engaged in a mission over Turin when his Stirling aircraft took a hit and he was wounded. The navigator was killed and Flight Sergeant Aaron tok the decision to fly the aircraft over the Mediterranean to an airfield in Algeria. After three attempts, and having run out of fuel he managed to crash land the plane, but suffered severe injuries from which he later died in the station hospital. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery and the Distinguished Flying Cross. On the 24th March 2001 the statue was unveiled by Flight Sergeant Aaron's last surviving crew member, Malcolm Mitchem of Andover, Hampshire. He was also awarded the Destinguished Flying Medal. | License: | http://www.leodis.net/article.aspx?id=12 | Rights holder: | Leeds Central Library | Subjects: | Eastgate statue Arthur Aaron war | Source: | Leodis - A photographic archive of Leeds | Identifier: | http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?id=20... | Go to resource |
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