Came across this one only today-whilst doing some research
on my own air gunner Uncles service history.(who was himself only 20 when he was killed) so I found it very moving and somehow personal.

My brief sweet life is over, My eyes no longer see.
No summer walks, no Christmas Trees, No pretty girls for me.
I’ve got the chop, I’ve had it, My nightly ops are done.
Yet in another hundred years, I’ll still be twenty-one.

So run the words on the 50 and 61
Sqns’ memorial at Skellingthorpe.

Written by air gunner
Sgt R W Gilbert,

I recall they also had an Apache-around the late 60s-if my memory is correct? Cant remember the reg though offhand

I am reseraching a Lancaster crash that happened on 17th May 1945, (Lanc RF124, LE-S)with the loss of all seven crewmen. I have all the crew photos and ages, however, I need one age for one of the crewmen…

He was Sgt 1813035 Vincent Reginald Woodburn SOUTHWORTH

CWGC info is that he is buried in Watford North cemetery Hertfordshire Sec A Cons Grave 1213…..The post code for the cemetery is WD25 0RJ….

Would like to know his age (date of birth) and if possible a picture of his final resting place

Can anyone who lives nearby do me the honours please?

Kindest regards
Graham

I live very close-and am going quite nearby later today (Wednesday 11th) -so will call in and get a photograph.If you can PM me your home e mail address, I will forward it asap.

Fast and low inbound to Old Warden

Unfortunately it was in the days of roll film and it would have taken too long to wind on!! Also I was with my young son-who was only about 3 or 4 years old-so thought it best to duck and put my hands over his ears!!
(he still remembers it-even though he is 31 now!!)
Oh to have had a modern digital camera on a multi burst setting!!

The bowser driver and ramp staff appear to be wearing berets – which would seem to indicate its on the continental side of the channel anyway?
(Dont think they are flat caps).

Do you have access to his old log books-secret or no secret-I would imagine he still logged it?
It got a bit hairy at times with the airline I was with -Pre cat 3 or even 2-we would have aircraft-getting very low on fuel-as airfields closed around them in rapid succession.
I recall a BA 747 – with Prince Andrew on board. Missed approach at Heathrow, diverted to Prestwick where the weather went out too so declared a PAN and scraped it back into Luton in minimal weather with minimal fuel-not a nice situation to be in
-but it was the only available bolt hole-despite being unsuitable in many ways for the type-but if you have little choice—-!!