|lieutenancy_england= [[Bedfordshire]]

|lieutenancy_england= [[Bedfordshire]]

|region= East of England

|region= East of England

|constituency_westminster= [[North East Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North East Bedfordshire]]

|constituency_westminster= [[North Bedfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Bedfordshire]]{{cite web|title=Location of North Bedfordshire |url= https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/4199/location |website=parliament.uk |date=July 2024 |access-date=21 February 2026}}

|post_town= BEDFORD

|post_town= BEDFORD

|postcode_district= MK44

|postcode_district= MK44

==War (1939 – 1945)==

==War (1939 – 1945)==

[[File:Home Guard troops 'fighting' Valentine tanks of 6th Armoured Division during large-scale manoeuvres at Yelden in Bedfordshire, 27 July 1941. H12081.jpg|thumb|Home Guard troops 'fighting' Valentine tanks of 6th Armoured Division during large-scale manoeuvres, 27 July 1941.]]

[[File:Home Guard troops 'fighting' Valentine tanks of 6th Armoured Division during large-scale manoeuvres at Yelden in Bedfordshire, 27 July 1941. H12081.jpg|thumb|Home Guard troops 'fighting' Valentine tanks of 6th Armoured Division during large-scale manoeuvres, 27 July 1941.]]

[[World War II]] was a significant time in the history of the village because of its close proximity to Chelveston Aerodrome, which was originally built with three runways in 1941. An [[Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment]] detachment began flying from the aerodrome in 1942 with [[Horsa glider]]s towed by [[Short Stirling]] aircraft. Later in 1942, following the entry of the United States into the war, it eventually became the home of the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[305th Bombardment Group (Heavy)|305th Bombardment Group]], which had four squadrons of [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]]es pioneering the daylight formation and bombing procedures of the time. There were almost 2,000 personnel based at the aerodrome flying a total of 337 missions between November 1942 and April 1945. During these missions, a total of 22,362 tons of bombs were dropped on enemy targets and 332 enemy aircraft were claimed shot down at the expense of 154 [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] aircraft and 810 men.

The village was close to Chelveston Aerodrome, which was originally built with three runways in 1941. An [[Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment]] detachment began flying from the aerodrome in 1942 with [[Horsa glider]]s towed by [[Short Stirling]] aircraft. Later in 1942, following the entry of the United States into the war, it eventually became the home of the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[305th Bombardment Group (Heavy)|305th Bombardment Group]], which had four squadrons of [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]]es pioneering the daylight formation and bombing procedures of the time. There were almost 2,000 personnel based at the aerodrome flying a total of 337 missions between November 1942 and April 1945. During these missions, a total of 22,362 tons of bombs were dropped on enemy targets and 332 enemy aircraft were claimed shot down at the expense of 154 [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] aircraft and 810 men.

During the aerodrome{{'}}s construction, a series of buildings were erected in the village near the church as quarters for the [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force]] (WAAF) but instead became the [[sergeant's mess]] for the Americans. In more recent times these buildings, known locally as "the camps," fell into rack and ruin and so were demolished to make way for a new housing development. Today Philips Medows, Stanbrook Way and Forge Gardens stand on these sites.

During the aerodrome{{'}}s construction, a series of buildings were erected in the village near the church as quarters for the [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force]] (WAAF) but instead became the [[sergeant's mess]] for the Americans. In more recent times these buildings, known locally as "the camps," fell into ruin and were demolished to make way for a new housing development. Today Philips Medows, Stanbrook Way and Forge Gardens stand on these sites.

[[Image:B-17f-305th-42-30647-chev.jpg|thumb|left|Boeing B-17F-115-BO Flying Fortress Serial 42-30647 of the US Army Air Forces [[366th Bombardment Squadron]] on a mission to [[Stuttgart]], Germany, on 6 September 1943. On 23 September 1943, this aircraft crashed at Chevelston returning from a mission, killing all on board]]

[[Image:B-17f-305th-42-30647-chev.jpg|thumb|left|Boeing B-17F-115-BO Flying Fortress Serial 42-30647 of the US Army Air Forces [[366th Bombardment Squadron]] on a mission to [[Stuttgart]], Germany, on 6 September 1943. On 23 September 1943, this aircraft crashed at Chevelston returning from a mission, killing all on board]]

==Notable figures==

==Notable figures==

In June 1943, as Yielden had a depleted population, an American air-force pilot named Dick Rodgers assisted in the administration and running of the town's noted Strawberry Fayre. During his short stay there, Rodgers became a very popular figure within the community. He encouraged his fellow [[USAAF]] pilots to volunteer and raise funds for the local church during their time at the Yielden airbase. He died while completing a supply drop during the Battle of the Bulge. Although his body was never recovered, there is a commemorative plaque on a bench outside the Western gate of the Church.

In June 1943, as Yielden had a depleted population, an American air-force pilot named Dick Rodgers assisted in the administration and running of the town's noted Strawberry Fayre. During his short stay there, Rodgers became a very popular figure within the community. He encouraged his fellow [[USAAF]] pilots to volunteer and raise funds for the local church during their time at the Yielden airbase. He died while completing a supply drop during the Battle of the Bulge. His body was never recovered and there is a commemorative plaque on a bench outside the Western gate of the Church.

[[Joe Ekins]] (1923 – 2012), tank gunner, credited by some with killing German tank Commander [[Michael Wittmann]], was born in Yielden.

[[Joe Ekins]] (1923 – 2012), tank gunner, credited by some with killing German tank Commander [[Michael Wittmann]], was born in Yielden.

==Name spelling==

==Name spelling==

In common with most other place, the village name has evolved over the centuries. The earliest recorded version was 'Giveldene' in 1086 and since then there have been over 20 changes. At one stage (circa 1390) it was recorded as being 'Yelden' before becoming known as Yeveldene in 1461. Other names include Chivelden, Gyueldene, Yueldene, Yealdon, Evelden, Yeveldene, Yielding and Yeilden. Finally it was recorded as being 'Yelden' again in 1830 with the latest variant 'Yielden' having arrived in more recent times.

The village name has evolved over the centuries. The earliest recorded version was 'Giveldene' in 1086 and since then there have been over 20 changes. At one stage (circa 1390) it was recorded as being 'Yelden' before becoming known as Yeveldene in 1461. Other names include Chivelden, Gyueldene, Yueldene, Yealdon, Evelden, Yeveldene, Yielding and Yeilden. Finally it was recorded as being 'Yelden' again in 1830 with the latest variant 'Yielden' having arrived in more recent times.

[[File:UK Rushden.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The "Yelden" spelling used on a signpost in Rushden]]

[[File:UK Rushden.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The "Yelden" spelling used on a signpost in Rushden]]

=== Village pub ===

=== Village pub ===

The Chequers Inn closed in 2016. Whilst there was attempts to reopen it tied with some development of land behind the pub, the building was subsequently demolished and replaced with a private dwelling.{{cite web|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/BEN/498/chequers-yelden|title=Chequers, Yelden|accessdate=16 July 2025}}

The Chequers Inn closed in 2016. Whilst there were attempts to reopen it tied with some development of land behind the pub, the building was subsequently demolished and replaced with a private dwelling.{{cite web|url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/BEN/498/chequers-yelden|title=Chequers, Yelden|accessdate=16 July 2025}}

==References==

==References==