Four disused Norfolk airfields are being commemorated with the unveiling of memorial stones at the weekend.

And it all springs from a chance driving diversion made on a family holiday in 1973.

Nine-year-old Kenneth Bannerman was riding in his parents' car on the north Norfolk coast on their way to an evening meal when his dad diverted down a lane to try to find Langham airfield where he was stationed in the 1950s.

The youngster was 'transfixed' by a 'concrete igloo' on the base – a training dome that is now a listed building – but was struck by the impact such stations had on the war effort and society in general, and began to research them.

Five years ago he founded the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust, which is now seeking to put memorials at 1,300 disused stations, and has already done eight.

The next four are the first in Norfolk and will see people gathering at Langham, North Creake, Swannington and Matlaske for a series of ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, and which could include two flypasts, weather permitting.

The large granite memorials will flag up the location and role of the airfields, whose history is also logged on the charity's website.

'There is huge international interest in the old airfields from veterans, families and friends,' said Mr Bannerman from Glasgow. 'Airfield tourism is big businesses.'

The ABTC also seeks to save historic buildings on airfields, or find creative ways to reuse the sites as well as its rolling programme of putting up memorials.

'We can make sure these remarkable places, plus the courageous and dutiful people who have served at them, are not forgotten,' said Mr Bannerman.

The memorial unveilings, where the public are welcome, are:

North Creake – Used 1943-47. Stirling planes played a vital role on D-Day confusing the enemy into thinking they were a large convoy of ships. Now farmland and industrial site. Saturday 10am, south side of the airfield business park.

Langham – used from 1940-1958 including Beaufighters on anti-shipping operations. Now a turkey farm. Saturday 2pm, near the dome trainer between Langham and Cockthorpe. Spitfire flypast by Carolyn Grace.

Swannington – Used 1944-1947 with Mosquitos intercepting German night fighters. Bombed in March 1945 in one of last attacks on a British airfield. Now farm and industry, and control tower survives. Sunday 11.30am, east side of airfield near St Peter's Church, Haveringland. 11.45 flypast by vintage De Havilland planes - Chipmunk, Hornet Moth and Tiger Moth from Felthorpe Flying group.

Matlaske – used 1940-46 with fighters including rare twin-engined Whirlwinds which suffered heavy losses in anti-shipping operations. Spitfire pilot turned TV presenter Raymond Baxter was based there. Now farmland. Sunday 2.30pm north east side of airfield just south of village near environmental bottle bank on perimeter track.

For more information visit www.abct.org.uk

richard.batson@archant.co.uk