Display honours crew killed in helicopter crash

A memorial has been set up in a shop window to commemorate three members of the Royal Navy who died in a helicopter crash.

Lt Cdr Chris Gayson, 42, Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31 and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, were killed during a training exercise near Okehampton in June. All three were based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset.

Karen Hutchings, who organises an annual armistice day display at Donald's menswear shop in the Devon town, said she wanted dedicate the 2026 display to the crew.

She said the crash "was very poignant" and she felt the town should "bring it into our remembrance this year".

Hutchings said the display featured two mannequins, with one dressed in an Army uniform and another dressed in an air force uniform because cadets from both services were based in Okehampton.

It was created with the permission of the families and RNAS Yeovilton, she added.

The middle of the display features an easel with photographs of the pilots and a remembrance note.

Hutchings said: "One of the lines says, 'Although we may not have known any of you personally, their final journey brought them into our community and we will not allow their names or their stories to be forgotten'."

She said she hoped to take the photos and dedication to RNAS Yeovilton next month to be displayed there.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Our thoughts always remain with those we've lost.

"Each year on the 11th November for Remembrance we complete a roll of honour for those we lost in the last 12 months. We spend time reflecting on lost friends, colleagues and loved ones."

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