[Trevor Matthews]

Following the unfortunate murder of aviation archaeologist & collector Andrew Cresswell on the night of 10th/11th November 2008, his family have donated his entire collection to the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum in line with Andrew’s previously stated wishes.

The collection of several thousand items ranging from buttons to engines, some of which have been on display at the museum for the last 8 years, will be kept together within the museum as the Andrew Cresswell Collection, dedicated to his memory.

The collection has been moved to the museum over the last few weeks & is now undergoing cataloguing prior to conservation & display preparation work.

In accordance with Andrew’s wishes that the museum should make a donation to animal charities in exchange for receiving the collection, the Friends of the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum will be organising several fund raising events for animal charities over the next few years.

The museum is proposing to unveil a memorial to Andrew at the museum in May 2009 (date & details to be confirmed), they will also be instigating the Andrew Cresswell Memorial Award which will be awarded annually to a member of the Friends of the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum for their services to the museum.

The museum would like to thank Andrew’s sister & brother for donating the collection to the museum & his uncle for his help in moving the collection.