Darlington honors WW2 pilot William McMullen’s sacrifice

Pilot Officer William McMullen’s Sacrifice Remembered

Pilot Officer William McMullen likely saved hundreds of lives with his decision. However, it cost him his own life. At 8:49 PM, his plane avoided the last roofs of houses at the Yarm Road end of Darlington and crashed into a field connected to Lingfield farm. He died instantly, but many people still remember how the orange fireball lit up the sky and highlighted the parachutes of his crew members as they drifted safely to the ground.

He, like his crew, could have jumped and survived, but he chose not to. McMullen was flying on a training exercise from RAF Middleton St George, which made him ineligible for an honor.

Every January 13, townspeople gather informally at his small stone memorial on McMullen Road at 8:35 PM. They usually meet in freezing temperatures to remember him, his story, and the significance of his decision.

Last year marked the 80th anniversary of his self-sacrifice. Darlington Cares improved the memorial, and Darlington MP Lola McEvoy continued the efforts of her predecessor, Peter Gibson, to find a way to honor McMullen. Journalists in Canada covered the story and gained support from McMullen’s family.

“He saved the town. He saved his crew. Everybody is happy but him,” said Loring Barber, the airman’s grandson. “How can you not honor him?”

The wheels of officialdom turn slowly. On Tuesday at 8:30 PM, everyone is invited to gather beside the McMullen memorial. They will hear his story and hold a minute of silence on the 81st anniversary of his death. The ceremony will conclude by 8:49 PM.

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