When Hauptmann Alfons Scheuplein’s Junkers 88 was shot down by Hurricanes of 257 Squadron on August 13th 1940, his remains were interred at St Andrews church in Tangmere. His widow was informed he was missing, but it was not until 1941 that the Red Cross confirmed his death to her.
In 1946/7 the vicar at St Andrews forwarded aerial pictures of the grave to Frau Scheuplein and she made several visits to the site. On one of these Len Jepps, a founder member of the Museum, met her and, getting to know her over the following years learned that she wished her own ashes to be buried in her husband’s grave.
This unique final wish was carried out in late July when Barbara, the couple’s daughter who had only been ten months old when her father died, closed the circle by reuniting her father and mother for the last time.
