Today's Object of the Week, published just days after the anniversary of VE Day, is a reminder of the horrors of war.

BANNIAL Flatts, just outside Whitby, was the site of the first enemy aircraft to be shot down on British soil during the Second World War.

Several Heinkel aircraft had set off on the morning of February 3, 1940, with the mission of attacking shipping off the North-East coast.

The Heinkel in question was first picked up by radar at Danby Beacon at 9.03am whilst 60 miles out to sea.

Allied fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. The Heinkel had just made an attack on a trawler when it was intercepted by three Hurricanes piloted by F/Lt Peter Townsend, F/O Patrick Folkes and Sgt Jim Hallowes.

The Heinkel was, by now, severely damaged and the pilot had no choice but to make a forced landing on land, coming to rest at Bannial Flatts Farm.

Sadly, the incident resulted in the deaths of two of the German crew.

A model of the incident was made and donated to Whitby Museum by a Mr HL Catley in 1976.

The model forms part of a display entitled ‘One Day in Whitby’s War’ which describes this event, the German attack on Whitby steamer SS Kildale and the Belgian steamer Charles running aground at Saltwick Nab resulting in the loss of two of the Whitby lifeboat crew sent to save her and six of the crew of the Charles.

The display is dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives that day.

n June, 1945, North Riding County Council erected a plaque to commemorate the Bannial Flatts incident.

It comprises two eight sided stone columns with caps, taken from the washed away bridge at Sleights following the flooding of the Esk Valley during July 1930.

The western pillar had a bronze plaque attached in June 1945, with an inscription, for which North Riding County Council accepted a tender of £3.10 shillings.

It is believed the other pillar was installed with the intention of providing a plaque to commemorate the devastating floods of the Esk Valley in 1930, but was never progressed.

The plaque can still be seen on a stone pillar at Sleights Lane End, three miles north of Whitby, at the junction of the A171 and A169.

Whitby Museum is situated in the stunning surroundings of Pannett Park. It is presently closed, on government advice, but you can find out more by visiting their website www.whitbymuseum.org.uk or follow it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

lIf you have an object which you would like us to feature, contact andrew.white@nne.co.uk or leave a message on 01325-505054.