Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Appeal

Cross-party support confirmed for this Appeal http://www.lincolnshiretoday.net/en/lt/news/1736 🙂

Even though Lincoln has a modest memorial in its cathedral, I also support the proposed Lincoln memorial. I thought the national Bomber Command memorial belonged in either Lincolnshire or Yorkshire – not London – but, as DP said earlier, it doesn’t stop me from recognising it as a worthy memorial.
I also fully support the idea of having an interpretation centre. When the original war memorials were created the vast majority of the population had lived through at least one world war and didn’t need to be educated about the courage, sacrifice and cost the memorials represent. Today of course, most of the population (including me) haven’t had to suffer that experience, and during my schooldays the two world wars were not even on the national curriculum. The result is than many are largely oblivious to ‘the debt we owe’. Thankfully, the history of the two world wars has returned to the national curriculum so my childrens’ generation is learning something about the importance of that era and its relevance to all of us today. However, there is still much to learn.
I hope the BBMF Lancaster flies for another 100 years and that NX611 is up there with her but, exciting as they are, sadly, to most people, they are indistinguishable from any other aeroplane. My view is that the general public cannot fully understand why these great aeroplanes are so significant until they fully appreciate the courage of their magnificent crews. For that reason I say bring on the memorial and its interpretation centre.
Ed

Re 41

Yes, that is a good point. It is probably something to do with the impression that it was the beautiful and deadly Lancaster that was WW2s most impressive, offensive aerial weapon that was simply more capable in terms of tonnage delivered than any other heavy bomber.

I find the proposed memorial design impressive, and will certainly become a suitably moving place to remember everyone that was involved in Bomber Command, not only the flight crew but all those that contributed in some way.
I am though a little unhappy with is the emphasis on the Lancaster and Chadwick. The shape of the memorial is abstract enough to be either be a Halifax, Stirling, Wellington, Whitley, Hampden, Blenheim so why emphasise the Lancaster. Is it for the same reason that the Hurricane always plays second fiddle to the Spitfire.

Richard

As a Lincolnshire girl proud to be associated with Bomber County I think it’s only fit and proper that we have our own Bomber Command Memorial. It’s a free country if people give enough to make it come to fruition then so be it. I don’t agree with the present one being in Green Park but it is, it doesn’t stop me appreciating why it’s there.

Sadly you’re mistaken – I’m merely expressing an opinion on what I genuinely believe is a worthy project.

As for “a pet project featuring axes and grinding” – rest assured this is not a pet project. Also I try to do as little axe grinding as possible; experience has taught me that it tends to make you opinionated and gives you a jaundiced view on so many things!

Regarding a wider picture I’m proud to be involved in a host of other projects across the whole of the East Midlands, which help to commemorate aviation in its many guises.

That said if anyone disagrees with such commemorative schemes then so be it, after all it’s a free-country!

Addendum: I’ve just been reminded off board by a ‘lurker’ about these parts that the launch event for this Memorial Appeal took place at East Kirkby on Friday 31st May last year.

Re 36

I’d expect you to write that. The proposed memorial seems to be for you, a pet project featuring axes and grinding. Look at a wider picture.

I feel somewhat uncomfortable with the concept. It will have ongoing maintainance costs and undoubtedly security issues . Whether its a memorial or a tourist attraction is open to debate . In the old sense of memorial -we had monuments which were happy to stand on their own . With this project it needs to be ‘interpreted’ with a visitor centre . Regards this comment ‘No Bomber Command museum currently exists’ -many would argue that Hendon have been doing this since the early 1980’s .

As someone that isn’t normally impressed by ‘iconic projects’ I remain quite comfortable that the proposed design will work well in the chosen location – http://www.lincsbombercommandmemorial.com/our-memorial.html

Naturally, as the years pass, Bomber Command veteran numbers become fewer – fewer to remember, or, pass on, at first hand, the strategic significance of their contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany. So the baton necessarily passes to the young, who, because they have no direct connection with the events of WW2 require a more vivid representation of those events via for example military re-enactments or the vision of a real live, in the sky representative of an aircraft that took part in these momentous events.

For the young, a memorial has little significance. It does not uplift as does the syncopated rhythm of four Merlins propelling this almost living example of a past heroic age in stately progress in front of tens of thousands of spectators. A static memorial cannot stir the blood and tweak the imaginations of young spectators as would this iconic production of A.V. Roe

Static memorials are fine but, let us not pretend that they are in anyway in the same class as a Lancaster at full chat.

We shouldn’t lose sight of this aspect of the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Project, which starts to tie in with the Cathedral and seems to be appreciated by the veterans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-24287441

Re 31

That is a good point and one that should be remembered. The well of charitable donations isn’t bottomless. I estimate that few on these Forums would disagree with the notion that a ‘live’ Lancaster memorial is a more effective tribute to the memory of 55,000 heroic souls than yet another, perhaps unremarkable in appearance, stone monolith. Thankfully we have the classic Green Park Memorial which is the proper focus for static remembrance.

Let us all, please, continue to support Just Jane at East Kirkby. It is entirely probable that with the help of our donations, this magnificent aeroplane will be seen at flying displays up and down the country, provoking the imaginations and thoughts of young as well as old.

Perhaps more will be required, but as a member of Lincolnshire’s Lancaster Association I am proud of the contributions that the Association has already made to the BBMF and other aviation groups.

Its not beyond the imagination that at some stage the BBMF has to be funded more from private enterprise and less from the government. That might focus the pro’s and con’s of giving to private entities!

I guess that individuals will just have to decide whether they prefer to support a registered charity or a private enterprise.

Re 26

I think that you are correct in your opposition. THE Bomber Command Memorial is the one in Green Park, London. As with museums so with memorials – we’re awash !

The Panton brothers at East Kirby have been determined and resolute in their commitment to their wonderful project. Support of any kind should go to their Lancaster to ensure that it can be restored to active duty and maintained into the distant future by an adequate level of trust funds set up for the purpose.

Those who oppose this un-necessary venture should consider writing to the administrators stating their opposition and pointing out that the East Kirby Lancaster has a more meritorious appeal as a ‘living’ testament.

Here’s the latest news update http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-26115111

A project at Scampton is already being considered – tender information from last autumn!

Perhaps the memorial donor wasn’t interested in any other schemes.

Its staggering the costs involved ! It appears to be £3.75 million to build a spire and a visitors centre ! I wonder if they know there is an historic airfield at Scampton that is crying out for a well funded heritage centre – the sums involved in these ‘iconic’ projects to provide modern folies is beyond me !
Please if you feel you have a spare £3 million sat doing nothing -give it to the farmers at East Kirkby who have been doing the ‘living memorial’ deal for far longer and will achieve far more with the sound of running Merlins in remembering the lost crews of Lincolnshire!

It’s a brilliant achievement and I bet they’re over the moon!

I wish I could stimulate such a response for Project Panini! 😉