11-05-2025
MP welcomes new memorial honouring RAF's reconnaissance heroes
THE Labour MP for Carlisle and North Cumbria Julie Minns has said that she is 'delighted' after plans to celebrate the RAF's unsung heroes of the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU).
Julie Minns MP has welcomed the news that plans to recognise the RAF's unsung heroes of the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU) have progressed to the planning stage.
Announced by Veterans Minister Al Carns MP, this marks the culmination of a campaign with broad political support, with more than 200 MPs from eight parties uniting to back the call for a PRU memorial.
The monument currently stands to commemorate 2,370 individuals. While research continues into their nationalities, four men from Carlisle — Rae Armstrong, Ivan Cooke, William Johnston, and Charles Ross – are known to be among them.
Julie Minns MP said: "I am delighted to see my support for the campaign to commemorate those who served in the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit has helped to bring this memorial one step closer.
"Due to the clandestine nature of their operations – flying solo operations, unarmed and unarmoured – the PRU death rate was nearly fifty percent. As a result, these brave men and women had one of the lowest survival rates of the war, around two and a half months.
"Four Carlisle men served under these exceptionally challenging conditions: Rae Armstrong, Ivan Cooke, William Johnston, and Charles Ross.
"I remain committed to supporting the Spitfire AA810 Project in establishing this memorial and look forward to paying my respects to these local men and their colleagues from all Photographic Reconnaissance Units when it is completed."
