Bomber Command Memorial

Moving related story

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/raf-bomber-command/9653008/A-wartime-love-that-never-died-revealed-at-Bomber-Command-Memorial.html

try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halle_%28Saale%29

By the way my uncle is commemorated at Runnymede 1942, 49 Sqn, Channel Dash no known grave. Day before his 20th birthday. Mother would never discuss. Found out only after her passing.
Bob

I took a group of friends earlier in the month. None of them pay any notice to history at all, and made it quite clear that they thought I was ‘sad’ for wanting to go and look at a war memorial.

The transformation on their faces when we got there was priceless. It really is a fantastic and moving place to go and see.

From Wikipedia, so usual caveats apply:

Aluminium from a Royal Canadian Air Force Handley Page Halifax of No. 426 Squadron RCAF that had crashed in Belgium in May 1944 was used to build the roof of the memorial, which was designed to evoke the styling of the Vickers Wellington.

The Halifax, LW682 OW/M, had been removed from a swamp in 1997 with three of the crew found still at their posts. They were buried with full military honours in Geraardsbergen and the remains of the aircraft were sent to Canada. Some of the metal was used for the restoration of a Halifax in Ontario, and the rest was melted down by the Bomber Command Museum of Canada.

The Museum provided ingots for the memorial to commemorate the 10,000 of 55,573 Bomber Command aircrew killed during the war that were Canadian.

http://www.426sqdn.ca/remembrances/halifax_lw682.html

Moggy

Mods if this is in the wrong place please amend.

Absolutely not. Thank you for taking the time to post it here.

Moggy
Moderator

Is the roof made from an aircraft? If so which one and what part?

Next time I have the misfortune of being in London I shall be making pilgrimage to the memorial. A wonderful memorial, sadly many many years too late

A very tasteful and moving memorial. Did visit in July. One can only be very respectful to those men. Still sad today to have lost so many.

Best of luck to the Beachy Head project. The driving force behind it is ex 625Sqn rear gunner (and POW) Joe Williams, helped by many supporters, particularly Nic Lewis, who is the driving forcw behind the 625 Sqn Association.
Hope they get the support they deserve.

Hi Alex. I can fully understand your feelings, and saddened to hear your grandfather didn’t see what is being built for him and others of bomber command, but at least it IS finaly being built.
I would like to know WHY this memorial has been so long in getting built.
Any one know why the crews of Bomber Command have only just been recognised for the brilliant work they did ?.

Lincoln .7

Thanks Lincoln 7, I would be a damn site more angry if there still hadn’t be any progress towards this memorial getting built before we lose the last of those brave men, so it is excellent to see it being built.

Alex

A smaller memorial is also planned for Beachy Head.
http://www.bombercommandtribute.org/index.html
mmitch

It’s a pleasure, as it was to have, in a very small way, helped the Telegraph donate £1 million towards the £5 million costs. It is so overdue but will be so treasured when it is completed.

Thanks for that SH.

Any pictures?
Any members of the press there to record the work beginning?

As one of its strongest supporters the Telegraph has this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/world-war-2/8492551/Fly-past-marks-new-Bomber-Command-memorial.html

Hi Alex. I can fully understand your feelings, and saddened to hear your grandfather didn’t see what is being built for him and others of bomber command, but at least it IS finaly being built.
I would like to know WHY this memorial has been so long in getting built.
Any one know why the crews of Bomber Command have only just been recognised for the brilliant work they did ?.

Lincoln .7

About bloody time!! 😡 Drives me to insanity that we wait until surviving members are becoming few and far between before we can finally honour them. As I remarked somewhat bitterly on seeing the news that its also a year too late for my grandad who served in the Lancs as a tail-end charlie 44-45. He passed away a year ago this month and would have loved to have seen at least the beginnings of such a memorial. I know i’m preaching to the converted anyway but I had to get it off my chest.

Next step campaign medals?

On a more positive note however, the artists impression looks marvellous as i’m sure the finished article will be.

Alex

Any pictures?
Any members of the press there to record the work beginning?

Good news ! and as has been said long overdue !

There was a very good interview with Robin Gibb (of Bee Gees Fame) on BBC Breakfast News this morning he has been doing sterling work for the cause,and as you say long overdue.