Fallen heroes from Huddersfield have been remembered in a stunning memorial video.
Greenhead Park’s World War memorial was shown in all its winter glory to commemorate Huddersfield soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan.
And it was the work of Longwood man John Longson, who used his own airborne drone to film the impressive 2.26 minute video, shooting it all in just one take.
Opening with a head height view of John, who is standing in front of the memorial, the drone peacefully flies upwards at an angle to encompass the sheer scale and beauty of the war landmark.
It then travels even higher to capture panoramic views of the entire park in the snow and reaches 90m high before weaving its way over the park’s lake and other beauty spots and ending with a view that showcases the town and surrounding countryside.
The video is soundtracked to the moving sound of Holst’s I Vow To Thee, My Country by the Coldstream Guards Band and also features details of the six soldiers who died in between 2010 and 2012.
It perfectly illustrates not just John’s pride in the area but also in the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.
John, 26, said: “I was inspired to make it after reading a piece in the Huddersfield Examiner about those who died in Afghanistan, which read ‘Huddersfield’s Afghan Heroes’.
“It struck a chord with me because several of those who died had lived near me.
“I always wanted to get a nice shot of the park with the drone and thought it was an ideal opportunity to do that while reminding people of what our soldiers gave.
“I hope it highlights t people how lucky we are to be able to carry on and get up and go to work everyday, something that these soldiers can no longer do.”
John explained how he managed to shoot the footage on the machine, a DJI Phantom 2, in just one go.
He said: “I’ve had a drone since last year and have just been practising to get the right shots. The camera is securely attached and I fly the machine at an angle, while trying not to get the propellers in shot, which is quite difficult.”
However, he has run into difficulties with the video, which was taken down by Facebook pending inquiries into copyright infringement.
John said: “I received an email from Facebook who said they were investigating it due to worries over copyright and being offensive.
“It was a massive surprise because it is just a tribute done for no financial gain to those who have died and it caused no problems on YouTube, where I also posted it, who decided it came under their fair usage policy.
“They have put it back up because I appealed and I’m just waiting to hear back from them but obviously think it would be a great shame if they removed it permanently.”
The video is one of six that he has released since he bought the drone, which also includes a video of Castle Hill, and are now featured on his Facebook page, DroneBoyInc.
John said: “I just take them for pleasure and don’t get any financial benefit from them, I’m just glad I can share them around.”
