New museum pays homage to WW2 heroes

The museum displays uniforms, medals and other items belonging to the servicemen

A wartime museum has been set up dedicated to telling the stories of American World War Two heroes who were based in Norfolk.

The museum, located at the back of the Wartime and Vintage store in Swaffham, opened earlier this year.

Owner James Clarey has collected a variety of artefacts, uniforms and other items that belonged to servicemen for display.

He said: "It's a homage to those men who fought in World War Two, and this is their story."

James Clarey has been collecting memorabilia since the age of 10

Mr Clarey added: "It's important to remember their endeavours, sacrifices and these individuals who gave so much for our freedom."

He said it was "a lifetime's mission of gathering artefacts to tell these men's stories".

The displays include flight jackets, uniforms and medals, some found in auctions and others donated by relatives of airmen.

"It's all out there, you've just got to try and find it," explained Mr Clarey.

The museum's open day took place earlier this year

He grew up next to a wartime airfield in Beeston and would walk past a memorial on his way to school, where his curiosity was sparked.

"I would wonder who these guys were and what men from America were doing based here.

"These were the questions that I asked and as I grew older, I started to read and learn more about them. The result is this museum."

Mr Clarey also runs two other museums - The 43rd Bomb Group and The 8th Air Force Heritage gallery, both at the airfield in Old Buckingham.

The museum is hidden at the back of the Wartime & Vintage Store

He called this museum "an extension of the others", with this one being primarily based on the 2nd air division that had close ties to Norfolk during World War Two.

A core memory for Mr Clarey was when he found an identity bracelet of a crew member at the crash site of a B17 bomber.

The serviceman was killed in the crash and after research, Mr Clarey managed to successfully return it to his mother in Washington in 1995.

"This is the catalyst of what I'm doing now. It was the research journey that really got me into the history of what these guys did.

"As a boy it fascinated me and it still does now, telling their story so other people can understand too," he said.

"It's important to remember the endeavours of those who gave so much," said James Clarey