I grew up being sent to Sunday School, baptised, communion, church choir and senior choir boy. My father attended church for weddings and funerals. We both thought we were Christians by our acts not by our faith/religion. Atheist, Agnostic, true believer; it did not matter. Many people obtain comfort and guidance from their religion and I totally accept that.

We do not need a moniker for our belief; just an acceptance of what we do assists others and brings peace and harmony to our community. To jump up and down and say ‘I’m an atheist’ etc. defeats the whole object of the meaning of one’s faith or lack of it. I do not need a soapbox to proclaim my faith, I do, quietly, what I think is best for myself, my family and my community.

Extremists of all races, creeds and colours will disrupt and cause anarchy and chaos. We do not need to be defined by our religion or lack of it, what we need is humanity, empathy and understanding.

Binbrook 01,

without purposefully ensuring thread drift, OK I will! I started out on Varsity’s, Lightnings (All Marks 1 – 6), Chipmunks and Fat Alberts before 20yrs on SH. I am saddened at the apparent lack of support we give to our colonial nations. Lack of foresight or blind following of the MBA doctrine, I know not, someone needs to break the mould. I cannot comprehend those young persons who I nurtured, who have forgotten the basics. Unfortunately the current in government party is well known for decimating our forces. Mrs Thatcher did the same in 80’s. Does a leopard change its spots, I don’t think so. Here’s to wishful thinking and a strong British Military Force.

Thank goodness we’ve got 2 Lancs and an assortment of fighters to protect us!

Bob

Re- Post 1163. (Dave Thompson).

Hindsight is definitely 20/20 vision. I may be totally out of synch with the situation and the discussions and decisions made for this unforeseen engine change. From Dave Thompsons update it would appear that the Canadian team were left to their own initiative. Local help was more than willing to assist. Absolutely brilliant.

I cannot believe that being given an engine from BBMF (power by the hour) that our host nation would not provide an engine/prop change kit and other tools required. How many Merlin boys on BBMF would jump at the chance to assist in this rebuild (in their own time of course).

Have our lords and masters become so business orientated that a simple ‘here we go boys, sort this out’ is beyond their comprehension. Warrant Officer please step up to the plate.

In my small (39yr) career, we bent over backwards to assist any unserviceability’s no matter their nationality. Likewise down route I was assisted by many nationalities, even being sent to put my head down whilst they fixed a snag on my aircraft. I am eternally grateful!

The Canadians put in an admirable 12 hr shift each day. 24hr cover would have ensured the 3 Lanc display did not suffer the disappointment that it did, along with the subsequent rescheduling.

It appears from the outside, that a lack of foresight and a willingness to go that extra mile has brought a shadow over our once fine Royal Air Force. If what I perceive is true then someone in that decision chain should be looking to Civvy Street for a job without their gold plated pension.

I hope I am proved wrong, but I am not holding my breath.

Bob

Brian,
Having a quick look at Chorley, nothing jumps out but be prepared for Lanc, Halifax or even Fortress!

A quick scan through the Bomber Command War Diaries reveals the following losses:

14/15 Mar 41: Gelsenkirchen – 1 x Wellington.
14/16 Mar 42: – No losses.
16 Mar 43: Paderborn – 1 x Mosquito.
15/16 Mar 44: Stuttgart – 27 x Lancaster, 10 x Halifax.
14/15 Mar 45: Lutzkendorf – 18 x Lancaster.
14/15 Mar 45: Homberg – 2 x Halifax.
15/16 Mar 45: Hagen – 6 x Lancaster, 4 x Halifax.
15/16 Mar 45: Misburg – 4 x Lancaster

I have not x-ref’d to Chorley for crash sites but if I get time we may be able to narrow this down.

Bob

It’s great to see such a dearth of replies; not! This is possibly because the sources I have; only show one Stirling crash outside the UK from 14-16 March 1941-45.

This aircraft crashed near Boves (Somme) in France on a raid to Amiens. For the record: Stirling III, EJ124 OJ-C, 149 Sqn. All the crew were lost and are buried in St-Pierre Cemetery.

Sorry, but unless someone out there knows different, without more detailed information, you may not find the haystack let alone the needle. :apologetic:

Gee-soos! There’s a teeny bit missing! At least I had an almost complete aircraft to start with (WW397). Luckily there’s plenty of Piston Provosts around, Iraq, Sudan, Rhodesia (sorry; Zimbabwe) and of course Burma!!!!

Today my other 89 yr old neighbour who on visiting his 89 yr old wife who had a massive stroke last week, cannot spend more than 15 minutes with her each day.

His neighbours rally to take him on a 30 mile round trip and all he can think about is his next bottle of the north of the border nectar. Relief yes, solving his problems, No! Depressed, an understatement.

It makes me angry that I cannot turn back the clocks to when they were a happy couple. Care in the community has a lot to answer for.

And don’t get me started on illegal and down right inconsiderate parking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob