Bomber Command Lincoln Memorial: Designs go on public display.
Three designs for a memorial to Bomber Command personnel who died in World War II are being put on public display in six locations.
Organisers said the memorial will be located on a hill overlooking Lincoln.
More than 25,000 air crew from Bomber Command based in Lincolnshire died in the war.
The displays will start in Barton-Upon-Humber on Saturday and will continue in RAF Waddington, RAF Cranwell, Sleaford and two locations in Lincoln.
See BBC News item here. and Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial web site here
Added 9th April 2013
Bomber Command Clasp Downing St Presentation
Association President Gordon Mellor was among a party from Bomber Command Assn who this week were invited to 10 Downing St to receive their recently awarded Bomber Command Clasp from the Prime Minister.
See Daily Telegraph news story here.Added 23rd March 2013
1 Group: Swift to Attack: Bomber Command’s Unsung Heroes - By Patrick Otter
This long awaited book published by Pen and Sword is now available. I have not seen a copy but do know that Elsham Wolds personality David Holford is included. If the book is anything like Patrick Otter’s other titles I have no doubt it will be quite excellent.
The book can be obtained from Amazon and also W H Smith’s internet site. Added 10th March 2013
Bomber Command clasp and Arctic Convoy Medal to be issued within weeks
Second World War veterans who served on the Arctic convoys and in Bomber Command will begin to receive their new awards within weeks, the government has announced. Production of the Arctic Star and Bomber Command clasp is to begin within days, with up to 250,000 veterans and the families of those who have died expected to be eligible.
Air Commodore R. A. C. Carter, C.B., D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.R.Ae.S.
Robert Carter, former OC 103 Sqdn 1942/43, passed away in Nov last year at the grand old age of 102.
See this Obit in the Daily Telegraph here. Added 31st Jan 2013
Mailly-le-Camp Commemoration Support Group - Notice
The Mailly-le-Camp Commemoration Support Group have informed us that there will be no Mailly trip to France this year.
However plans are being made for a visit in 2014 which will be the 70th anniversary of the raid.
Details of this will appear on the Mailly Commemoration Support Group Web Site in due course.
Added 29th Jan 2013.
13 Base RAF Web site
With effect from the 1st January 2013 this site will be solely in respect of content relating to the RAF Elsham Wolds Association. All other content has moved to a new site which is under the name of 13 Base. To transfer to the new site click on the banner below.
Seasons Greetings
A Merry Xmas and Happy 2013 to all Members, Supporters and Readers
Web Site
This web site is getting rather large so I have decided to split this to make it more manageable.
In the New Year this site will be reduced solely to Association information and news. The bulk of the content will be on a separate new web site which I will set up under a new title. Something along the lines of 13 Base - The 103 Sqdn 576 Sqdn 166 Sqdn and 550 Sqdn Web Site. This will have a separate ULR address to be decided. I can then expand the site at my leisure and also include some Kirmington/166 Sqdn and North Killingholme/550 Sqdn material which is in my files
The change will take place late December and there will be a period of overlap ( about 2 weeks ) when some of the content will appear on both sites till the new site is established. Added 29th Nov 2012
Memorial Lancaster ND700 - Belgium
Luc Cox has recently e mailed with an update regarding this Memorial and site investigation. There is a rather good little video which was produced for the Discovery Channel in Canada to go with it. See the link below.
“There is some news regarding the ongoing history around Avro Lancaster ND700 at Oostmalle and I thought it might be nice to send an update. The commemoration plaque has been given a spot in the aeroclub cantina near the entrance.
Benny and Thijs were interviewed and filmed by Discovery Channel Canada in regard to the research and investigations they do on WW2 aeroplane crashes in Belgium and Holland. They were also filmed during a field investigation and they chose the crash site of Avro Lancaster ND700 at Oostmalle as an example. It was recently broadcasted in Canada but can also be seen on the internet at:
After the commemoration in May some more information on what happened on that fateful night and the crew of the Lancaster has come to light. This winter we will translate the brochure we had in Dutch into English, add the new material and send it to you all. Luc Cox. Added 16th Nov 2012
Dover Channel Dash/Operation Fuller Memorial
On the 22nd Sept 2012 the new Channel Dash/Operation Fuller Memorial was unveiled at Dover. This commemorates the breakout in Feb 1942 of major German naval units from the French port of Brest up the Channel back to the safety of their German ports. This was a brilliantly conceived and executed German operation and was successful in spite of extensive British counter measures by the Navy and Air Force which were largely thwarted by extensive fighter cover, bad weather and poor visibility. A Fleet Air Arm unit based at Manston mounted a courageous attack against impossible odds and lost all their aircraft. 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds were called on to mount an attack at very short notice and 6 aircraft, Wellingtons, participated. One was lost.
In the picture below Member and Dover Resident John Funnell poses by this splendid memorial. The contribution of 103 Sqdn along with several other Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Command Squadrons is noted on one of the plaques. Added 10th Oct 2012
Remembrance Day Event.
The Annual Association Remembrance Day event will be held on Sunday the 4th November. Elsham Church opens 10:00 am, Service starts 10.30 am followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial. Added 9th Oct 2012.
Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Web Site
The NLAH web site is fully operational. Click link here. It is an excellent facility and information point for those interested in the Aviation History of this area. Please feel free to use it. You can enroll and post on the discussion board. News items and photos can be submitted to the Brigg Tourist Information Centre at Email: Brigg.TIC@northlincs.gov.uk for inclusion on the web site. Added 9th Oct 2012.
Bomber Command veteran visits Waters' Edge for Aviation Heritage event
Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire confirm that Bomber Command veteran Douglas Hudson will be coming to Waters' Edge Visitor Centre at Barton upon Humber for a special Aviation Heritage weekend. Douglas will give a talk about his experiences as a Lancaster Navigator and Prisoner of War from 2pm on Sunday 14 October and you are invited to attend.
The weekend celebrates the launch of a new permanent Aviation Heritage display at the centre. The large-scale 'Counting Them Home' interactive display will also be at the centre. There is no charge for the event which runs from 10am to 4pm on both days. Added 9th Oct 2012
Reunion 2012.
The annual Association Reunion was held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. It was well attended as usual and much enjoyed by all. It was decided at the AGM to hold another similar event in August 2013. The BBMF Lancaster could not do its usual fly over on Sunday but the BBMF sent one of their Spitfires which gave us an excellent little display. Added 27th August 2012.
Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Web Site
The web site for the above is now up and running. Click link here. - Posted 17th August 2012
Reunion 2012
Details of the 2012 Reunion and booking forms were enclosed with the last newsletter. For further details please contact the Secretary - Posted 26th June 2012.
CBC News Canada - Ottawa creates new honour for Bomber Command vets.
The federal government is creating a new military honour to pay tribute to Canadian veterans who served in Bomber Command during the Second World War. Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Veterans Affairs Minister Stephen Blaney made the announcement today in Ottawa. - See news story here - Posted 26th June 2012.
Mailly 2012
This year’s Mailly trip was another great success. An account and some photos can be found at the Mailly Commemoration Support Group site here.Posted18th June 2012
Robin Hugh Gibb CBE
Sadly Robin Gibb passed away recently at the relatively young age of 62 after a long fight against cancer. He was the one of the leading lights and prime movers behind the Bomber Command Memorial Campaign. It is a shame he passed away a few weeks before the dedication of the Memorial and culmination of several years of his hard work. He put considerable time and effort into this project and for that we all owe him a great debt of thanks. Posted 23rd May 2012
Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Trail.
The first open day of the of the RAF Elsham Wolds Memorial Room as part of the Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Scheme on Friday the 18th May was a great success attended by 80 visitors. Amongst those was a party from Belgian including Wim Govaerts, Steve Volckhaerts and Luc Cox who presented our curator Robin Lingard with framed displays of the crews of Whitley and Goodman who both crashed in Belgium in 1944 and have been commemorated in the last year or two. Posted 23rd May 2012
Visitors May 2012
Canadians Joe and Marg Brazil and their son and daughter Nathan and Anna ( pictured above ) visited Elsham Wolds at the beginning of May. They then travelled on to The Netherlands where they visited Elsendorp where Joe's father, Jim Brazil, baled out in 1943. Sgt Jim Brazil was the Wireless Operator Sqdn/Ldr G.R.Carpenter's 103 Sqdn crew. He survived but was captured whilst evading and spent the rest of the war as a POW. The trip was organised by our Member Ad Van Zantvoort. Other visitors in May have included Tony and Robyn Alderidge from Australia. Tony's father was a pilot with 576 Sqdn and killed in 1944. We also entertained a party of Belgians including Wim Govaerts, Steven Volckaerts and Luc Cox. Posted 19th May 2012.
Oostmalle Belgium Goodman Crew Memorial
A Youtube video of the Oostmalle commemoration event for your interest.
Posted 16th May 2012
Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Trail.
This scheme was officially launched at Elsham Wolds on the 9th May and is now fully operational. See local newspaper report here. Details of the project can be found on a seperate page here. Posted 13th May 2012.
Ken Duddell Youtube Interview.
An interview with our Chairman Ken Duddell has recently been added to Youtube.
This is displayed below for your interest.
Posted 11th May 2012
Northern Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Trail.
This scheme will be officially launched on the 9th May 2012. More news and information to follow. This scheme will have a separate page when I get more information. Posted 7th May 2012.
Mailly Commemoration 2012
Last week was the annual Mailly Commemoration visit. The trip was another great success and was blessed with good weather and the usual wonderful French hospitality. The Band of the Trent Wing ATC accompanied the party.
Wing Commander Goodman and crew were shot down 12th May 1944. Returning from a raid on Hasselt. All the crew were killed.
The crew consisted of
Wing Commander H.R. Goodman (RAF)
Flight Engineer - Pilot Officer P. Vickers (RAFVR)
Navigator - Flight Sergeant H. G. Agar DFM (RAFVR)
Air Bomber - Flying Officer W. Vanderdasson DFM (RCAF)
Wireless Operator - Sgt C. Finighan (RAFVR)
Mid Upper Gunner - Flight Sergeant R. White (RAFVR)
Rear Gunner - Flying Officer R. McLeod (RCAF)
The remains of the crew are interred at Schoonselhof War Cemetery
The aircraft was a night fighter victim and exploded in mid air. The wreckage came down around the small airfield near Oostmalle, Belgium. On the 4th May 2012 there was a most moving and impressive commemoration event for this crew attended by many family members of the deceased for this crew and a splendid plaque was dedicated to their memory. The BBMF Lancaster led the fly past.
Many thanks to Luc Cox and his Belgian colleagues for the work they have put in to organise all this. I know it has taken a considerable amount of time and effort on their part.
The latest bulletin from the Bomber Command Association states that the dedication and unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial will take place in London on the 28th June 2012. For those wishing to attend priority will be given to Bomber Command veterans from home and abroad and members of the Bomber Command Association. Ken Duddell, our Chairman, has requested that all RAF Elsham Wolds Association Members and other interested parties who wish to attend apply direct to Wing Commander Sophy Gardner, Bomber Command Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London, NW9 5LL. Further details will appear on the Bomber Command web site is the next few weeks.
Seasons Greetings
A Merry Xmas and Happy 2012 to all our Members, Supporters and Readers
Mailly-le-Camp Commemoration Support Group - 2012 Trip
The itinerary and booking form for the 2012 trip to Mailly-le-Camp are now available on the group web site. Click this link for details
Web site Announcements.
The site was down last week for about 36 hours due to a technical hitch beyond my control.
In view of the demise of the 103/576 Sqdn site I have set up a separate Personnel Histories and Profiles page which I will add to and expand through the winter. I have added 2 new sections re this to start with.
103 Sqdn and 576 Sqdn Web Site
This site which was set up by Kevin Audsley in Australia about 12 years ago is now off line. This is because Esmart are no longer continuing with their free web hosting package. It is a shame as there was a considerable amount of good content on that site - mostly written by me ! I may well transfer some of that content onto this site in the future. Further announcements regarding this will follow.
Recovery of 576 Sqdn Lancaster PD309
The crash site of this aircraft was recently excavated by a group of Belgian enthusiasts. There are 2 rather good vids of this on Youtube for those who are interested. Search youtube under PD309
Elsham Wolds Booklet.
Please note Noel Ryan has written a booklet about the airfield at Elsham Wolds. Details on the Books and Resources page.
Members Announcements and Notices Page.
I have now added a special page for Members Notices and Announcements. Items will be added as and when appropriate.
At the request of several members I have included a small selection of photos from the 2011 Reunion in a separate gallery. All the photos are courtesy of Paul Mellor
I understand the annual memorial service for 166 Sqdn and Kirmington is next Saturday, the 3rd Sept, starting at noon at the village church. The event was well attended year last year climaxing with the Lancaster fly past.
Web site.
As a result of feedback and suggestions from several members this weekend in future I shall be including a small selection of photos from Association events on the site as and when they occur. These will probably be done on a separate page in galleries.
I may also include a separate page for Notices of specific interest to Members only. I need to think about that first.
Reunion 2011
The August Bank Holiday Reunion weekend was well attended and extremely successful. It followed the tried and tested pattern of previous years which has always proved so popular. At the AGM Gordon Mellor was elected President of the Association at the AGM. The Remembrance Plaque at Elsham village church was dedicated on the Saturday. Canon Peter Hall took this service and also the service on Sunday and gave an excellent addresses. The Lancaster was sadly not able to come this year as it was grounded in Kent due to the strong cross winds.
There will be a full report in the next edition of the newsletter which will be in the post by the end of Nov or beginning of Dec.
Paypal payment facility.
One of our members abroad, who has recently paid his annual subs, has asked if he can use Paypal payment facilities in future to pay for his membership fees etc.
The Association does not have a Paypal account however if anybody prefers to pay through Paypal they can pay into my account and I will send the appropriate cheque to the Treasurer. Payments can be sent via your Paypal account to my account which is under the e mail address on this link.
