From the Belgian Military website
http://www.mil.be/perscom/index.asp
Le nom d’un pilote belge pour une rue de Grande-Bretagne
Cérémonie officielle en présence de la nièce du pilote
Le mardi 10 octobre 2006, la Ville de Norwich (Suffolk – Grande Bretagne) organise, en collaboration avec la Composante Air de la Défense, une cérémonie au cours de laquelle sera inaugurée officiellement une nouvelle rue qui portera le nom d’un pilote militaire belge ayant perdu la vie au-dessus de cette entité en 1942.
Le pilote en question est le Premier Sergent Aviateur Maurice Herman Marceau Raes, originaire de la région montoise, pilote au sein de la 350ème Escadrille, décédé aux commandes de son Spitfire, le 13 juin 1942, au retour d’une mission de combat.
C’est la première fois qu’un tel honneur sera rendu à un pilote belge, en Grande-Bretagne.
A cette occasion, une plaque commémorative sera également apposée afin de lui rendre hommage, et ce, en présence des membres de la famille de l’intéressé, des représentants de la Ville de Norwich, d’une délégation de militaires belges, d’anciens combattants belges et britanniques et des témoins du crash.
babelfish translates as
The name of a Belgian pilot for a street of Great Britain official Ceremony in the presence of the niece of the pilot Tuesday October 10, 2006, the Town of Norwich (Suffolk – the United Kingdom) organizes, in collaboration with the Component Air of the Defense, a ceremony during which will be officially inaugurated a new street which will bear the name of a Belgian military pilot having lost the life above this entity in 1942. The pilot in question is the First Sergeant Aviator Maurice Herman Marceau Raes, originating in the Mons, pilot area within the 350ème Escadrille, deceased with the orders of his Spitfire, June 13, 1942, with the return of a mission of combat. It is the first time that such an honor will be returned to a Belgian pilot, in Great Britain. With this occasion, a commemorative plate will be also affixed in order to pay homage to him, and this, in the presence of the members of the family of the interested party, the representatives of the Town of Norwich, of a delegation of Belgian soldiers, ex-serviceman Belgian and British and witnesses of the crash landing.
Background
On 13 June 1942, flying his second convoy patrol, in MN-R (W3446), an unfortunate fatal accident occurred when the last section left the convoy, Sergeant Raes had lost his No. 1 and was given a Vector back to base. He came over Norwich very low and crashed into the ground at 120 Sprowston Road, Norwich killing himself. Unfortunately his aircraft, which had lost touch with convoy, was plotted as an enemy aircraft, and with a cloud base of 200 feet, the Barrage balloons were stood to. The Barrage balloon people saw him heading S.E. very low and the police and air raid wardens said an explosion occurred in the air. Therefore, it can be presumed that the Norwich Balloon barrage was, sadly, effective on this occasion. He was buried with full military honours at Brookwood Cemetery on 18 June 1942, and S/L Guillaume, P/O Deltour and Sgt Ester attended as representatives of the Squadron. After the war his body was re-interred at Pelouse d’Evere.
If anybody from this forum gets along and takes a photo I would be very grateful to receive a copy so that I can pass it over to the webmaster (Serge Bonge) of the 350 in WW2 site http://users.skynet.be/bonge.gemoets/index.htm
Allan
By: allan125 - 12th October 2006 at 06:40
Be nice to be in a two-seat F.16 with her whilst she tried to reverse park it though!! 🙂
She is wearing a 350 Ambiorix badge on her uniform – I believe her partner/husband is an F.16 pilot with No 1 Squadron (Stingers) – and I met her when I visited 350 Squadron at Florennes in November 2004. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Allan
By: Andy Larkin - 11th October 2006 at 20:05
Nice photos Snapper, thanks – One of the young ladies in Belgian uniform (background) is Karen, an F.16 pilot of the current 350 squadron. 🙂
cheers
Allan
Crikey, that makes her even MORE attractive… ‘swoon’
Andy
By: Snapper - 11th October 2006 at 15:33
No F16’s – weather was crap over the Channel so they turned back.
Yes Mike, just to the side of the road.
By: allan125 - 11th October 2006 at 14:39
Maurice Raes
Nice photos Snapper, thanks – One of the young ladies in Belgian uniform (background) is Karen, an F.16 pilot of the current 350 squadron. 🙂
cheers
Allan
By: Snapper - 11th October 2006 at 08:17
Last Lot. Many repeats of these groups etc but I’m not putting them all up:
By: Snapper - 11th October 2006 at 08:05
3rd Batch
By: Snapper - 10th October 2006 at 23:38
Batch 2
By: Snapper - 10th October 2006 at 23:14
First Batch, some repeats, not edited:
By: allan125 - 10th October 2006 at 22:32
Maurice Raes
Hi Andy
Thanks for the photos – I have passed the link over to my friends in Belgium in case they wish to have better quality pics.
I also look forward to those from Snapper.
Deepest Cornwall to Norwich and back is too far in one day, so thanks for being there!!
cheers
Allan
By: Snapper - 10th October 2006 at 20:51
Hi Andy, Sorry I had to dash. Nice to meet you though.
High point was seeing Lt Gen Michel Donnet CVO DFC again, had a good chat – uproarious laughter at times – and he dedicated my copy of his book which was something I wanted done 3 years ago and didn’t get around too. A great man, and a cracking tale to tell. Better spoken than written even!
Got given a nice little lapel badge by the PR man too, Belgian Air Force wings styled similar to Raf badge with Belgian crown on the top, very kind and looks the part on my 609 Sqdn tie.
By: Andy Larkin - 10th October 2006 at 20:42
If anybody from this forum gets along and takes a photo I would be very grateful to receive a copy so that I can pass it over to the webmaster (Serge Bonge) of the 350 in WW2 site http://users.skynet.be/bonge.gemoets/index.htm
Allan
I’m not the best photographer in the world, but I turned up (and saw Snapper there) and took a few pics. High res files available if you need them or any more?
Andy
😮
By: bloodnok - 10th October 2006 at 11:30
there’s a bit on the BBc about the ceramony as well , was also on the local news this morning.
By: Snapper - 9th October 2006 at 16:34
Right, I’ll be there. Not sure if I can come to the pub after as I have to head to the airport and then back for college. If anyone wants to say hi I’ll be the bald guy in his 30’s with the goatee, will probably have my suit on, and will have a V ‘Thanks’ Union Flag badge on a lapel. Oh, and I’ll have a camera too.
By: Snapper - 6th October 2006 at 19:57
Haddiscoe, but I live in Lowestoft now. Have met Donnet and van Caelenberge previously and haven’t got to be at college until 2 anyway so it could be a possibility for me.
How’s about the Belgian Monk instead of the Fat Cat then? Far more appropriate.
By: Auster Fan - 6th October 2006 at 19:35
Firstly, anyone know what time?
Secondly, Moggy (and others), fancy a pint at the Fat Cat?
I’d be happy to join if I can, but I don’t know where the Fat Cat is….
By: Andy Larkin - 6th October 2006 at 17:01
Was 120 Sprowston Road damaged by the crash at all?
From my memory of that road there was gap in the actual terrace as well wasn’t there? It looks like it should be a regular terrace from the corner of Lawson Road right down to Denmark Road.
Amazing how much you take for granted of your local environment until something sparks your interest isn’t it?
By: Kiteflyer - 6th October 2006 at 16:55
The actual impact of the Spitfire was in the rear garden of 120 Sprowston Road at the bottom, where the garden met the adjoining builders yard. Access to the yard being the reason for the gap I presume. We tried to pinpoint the impact spot as the building work was under way but it appears to be lost for good from the memory of our eye-witness.
By: Andy Larkin - 6th October 2006 at 14:35
Maurice Raes
An image of the young man in question…
©http://users.skynet.be/bonge.gemoets/biography/Raes%20Maurice.htm
By: Andy Larkin - 6th October 2006 at 14:23
Firstly, anyone know what time?
The unveiling is taking place at 11am on Tuesday 10th October. It will be attended by the Lord Mayor(ess) of Norwich and will include a speech by Major General Gerard van Caelenberge of the Belgian Air Force and Lieutenant General Mike Donnet, President of the Belgian Veterans of the RAF & SAAF Association.
There is a planned flypast of a Belgian Airforce F16 and a minutes silence will be observed after the unveiling of the memorial plaque.
Thanks for the posting about this, never knew the history behind why there was a gap in that terrace and assumed it was a bomb hit as this part of the city was heavily bombed during the war on many occassions.
I shall make sure I turn up and get some photographs of the cermemony. Can’t promise much on the flypast as I’m not ‘lensed up’ as most of you lot are!
Secondly, Moggy (and others), fancy a pint at the Fat Cat?
Are you a Norwich lad then Snapper?
By: Moggy C - 6th October 2006 at 12:21
Secondly, Moggy (and others), fancy a pint at the Fat Cat?
Yes – but Tuesday isn’t possible. I already have a meeting at the other end of Suffolk. 🙁
Moggy
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October 5, 2006 at 4:03 pm