THE 80th anniversary ceremony and presentations of the prestigious LG Groves Memorial Awards took place on the Quantock Hills on Thursday (September 10), paying tribute to an RAF crew killed in 1945.

Held in memory of Sgt Louis Grimble Groves, the awards honour outstanding contributions to aviation safety and meteorology.

They continue to strengthen the close links between the MoD, notably the RAF, the Met Office, and the Groves family.

The day began with a service of remembrance at a memorial stone on the Quantocks dedicated to the crew of nine from No 517 Squadron Halifax aircraft which crashed in fog on September 10, 1945.

The accident prompted Major Keith Groves and his wife Dorothy to establish the LG Groves Memorial Awards in 1946 in memory of their only son, who was onboard.

Representatives of 1710 Naval Air Squadron receive their LG Groves 2026 memorial awards in Crowcombe Village Hall from Air Marshal Mark Flewin.Air Marshal Mark Flewin, Air and Space Commander RAF, salutes a memorial on the Quantock Hills for nine RAF crew killed in a 1945 crash.An RAF honour guard from the King’s Colour Squadron attended an 80th anniversary memorial service on the Quantock Hills above Crowcombe for the crew of a Halifax aircraft which crashed in 1945. A Spitfire gave a display in the skies above Crowcombe as an 80th anniversary memorial service was held for nine RAF crew killed in a crash on the Quantocks.A period light aircraft ‘missing man’ formation flypast above the Quantock Hills during a memorial service for an RAF crew lost in a 1945 crash.

Representatives of 1710 Naval Air Squadron receive their LG Groves 2026 memorial awards in Crowcombe Village Hall from Air Marshal Mark Flewin.

Air Marshal Mark Flewin, Air and Space Commander RAF, salutes a memorial on the Quantock Hills for nine RAF crew killed in a 1945 crash.

An RAF honour guard from the King’s Colour Squadron attended an 80th anniversary memorial service on the Quantock Hills above Crowcombe for the crew of a Halifax aircraft which crashed in 1945.

A Spitfire gave a display in the skies above Crowcombe as an 80th anniversary memorial service was held for nine RAF crew killed in a crash on the Quantocks.

A period light aircraft ‘missing man’ formation flypast above the Quantock Hills during a memorial service for an RAF crew lost in a 1945 crash.

The morning service was led by Bishop to the Forces the Rt Rev Nigel Stock, supported by an honour guard from the King’s Colour Squadron, and a bugler from the RAF Regiment Band.

Attendees witnessed a poignant ‘missing man’ formation flypast featuring period light aircraft, including a replica SE5A, two Austers, and a replica Hawker Fury at the beginning of the service, followed by a solo Spitfire display to close proceedings.

Guests then gathered in Crowcombe Village Hall for the official presentation of the 2026 awards, presented by Air Marshal Mark Flewin, Air and Space Commander RAF, Professor Stephen Belcher, chief scientist at the Met Office, and Anthony Groves representing the family.

Mr Groves said: “These awards have come to represent the most incredible legacy.

“A tragic accident 81 years ago now forms the basis of a close partnership between one family, the Met Office, and the RAF, recognising advances in air safety.

“With more than 300 individual awards made since 1946, each has contributed substantially to making military airborne operations safer for all.”

The 2026 LG Groves memorial prizes and award recipients were:

• Air safety prize - 1710 Naval Air Squadron (NAS)

• Ground safety award - the air safety management team, RAF Shawbury

• Meteorology prize - Dr Kirsty Hanley, Met Office

• Meteorological observation award - Robert Scovell, Met Office

Project officer Squadron Leader Mike Richards said: “The number and quality of citations received during the nomination process were outstanding, demonstrating the commitment across defence to maintaining a strong safety culture, improving air safety, and advancing the field of meteorology.

“The event itself provided a valuable opportunity for us to continue the legacy of the LG Groves Awards, and we were honoured to welcome so many distinguished guests, including representatives from across the military, the Met Office, and the Groves family.”

This year’s event was particularly timely, taking place the day after the general release of the film ‘Pressure’ which explores the link between meteorology and operational effectiveness of the RAF, the same long-standing relationship the awards were set up to promote 80 years ago.

More information about the history of the awards and the memorial fund is available on the awards website.