It is unfortunate this has taken so long to resolve, as I am aware that it had been hoped to have the items released from the MOD/RAF in time for February this year and the 70th anniversary of John’s loss. A great shame that it was not possible and one hopes that the MOD get their finger out soon – although I am not holding my breath!

Similarly, we were hoping to get some other artifacts from a recovery last May on display at Lashenden for 18 August last year. Almost one year on and we are still waiting for the MOD to “release” these items (or not!) post recovery.

Maybe the MOD would act a little faster if they were billed for storage from May to present day for the artefacts mentioned in my second paragraph above.