BC memorial at Lords

Kyt · Jun 15, 2008

The bomber crews who were tested at Lord’s and selected to fight for England - Times Online

For centuries it has been the home of cricket and one of the world’s most famous sporting venues. But for a few short years during the Second World War, Lord’s was known as No 1 Air Crew Reception Centre and was the place where many thousands of people enlisted for duty in Bomber Command.

Now a £2 million memorial to those who did not return from the skies above Germany could soon stand in the shadow of the cricket ground. A site on the edge of Regent’s Park, close to Lord’s, is being considered for the Bomber Command memorial, which will commemorate the 55,000 air crew who lost their lives during the war.

It was at Lord’s, home to Marylebone Cricket Club, where the majority of recruits underwent medicals and were kitted out before being sent to training bases. It is fitting, perhaps, that it is in the park that those who did not return could soon be commemorated. A campaign to raise the £2 million in funds for a memorial was started this year by the Heritage Foundation charity, supported by the Bomber Command Association. About £160,000 has been raised so far.

Today, as veterans gather at the RAF museum in northwest London for the Bomber Command Association’s annual general meeting, the last fully operational Lancaster bomber will lead the Queen’s birthday flypast in the Mall. The 20 biggest donors to the campaign will receive a photograph of the aircraft signed by Bomber Command veterans.

Bomber Command played a vital role in the Allied victory during the Second World War, from attacking Luftwaffe bases to the Dambusters raid in March 1943. By September 1940, Winston Churchill was moved to remark: “The fighters are our salvation but the bombers alone provide the means of our victory.”

Geoff Goodwin, 82, who became a Flight Sergeant with Bomber Command after arriving at Lord’s as an 18-year-old in 1943, said that he and his colleagues “should have had more recognition” before now, including a campaign medal.

Mr Goodwin remembered being shocked at his first sight of Blitz-ravaged London. The elegant neighbourhood around Lord’s also surprised the teenager. “We occupied the posh mansion flats,” he said. “I was a boy from Derby, so it was a bit of a change of scene.”

Mr Goodwin took part in missions culminating with the bombing in April 1945 of an SS barracks at Berchtesgaden, close to Hitler’s mountain retreat. He and his crew survived — but thousands of comrades did not.

John Russell, 82, who was accepted for air crew training at Lord’s in 1943, said: “We were all keen to fly, but we didn’t realise what we were heading towards.”

The president of the Heritage Foundation, the Bee Gee Robin Gibb, will stage a concert at Royal Windsor racecourse next month for the appeal.

War effort

55,000 members of Bomber Command died during the war

10,000 were made prisoners of war

22 average age of flight crews

23 Bomber Command airmen won Victoria Crosses during the war

Source: RAF, Bomber Command Association
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Antipodean Andy · Jun 15, 2008

Excellent, further recognition for The Many.

Nostalgair · Jun 19, 2008

A great post, thanks.

It will add further to the significance of that wonderful ground.

Cheers

Owen

Pathfinder · Jun 19, 2008

I do hope that they make this memorial, to remember the many young BC crews, like my great-uncle and his crew; with the oldest being 31 and the youngest being 19.

Kyt · Sep 18, 2008

Thame's local news - ThameNews.Net Oxfordshire, UK

BEE GEE, Robin Gibb, who lives in Thame, opened his magnificent garden to friends and admirers on Sunday, when he and his wife, Dwina hosted an open-air charity tea party.

Celebrities from the world of screen and music, and others like Christine and Neil Hamilton, mingled with fans from all over the country, to help Robin raise money to commission a memorial to the thousands of air crew of Bomber Command, who gave their lives during World War II.

Robin, who takes a very keen interest in modern history, is the President of The Heritage Foundation 2008, which is leading the campaigning for the memorial.

Around 300 faces turned to the skies over Thame throughout the afternoon as low-level stunts by a Spitfire and a Hurricane aircraft and a parachute display by the RAF Falcons display team thrilled the guests.

Robin joined in with Vera Lyn sing-alike, Jill Daniels, she in full WRAF uniform, for a duet of the war-time favourites, 'There'll be blue over, the white cliffs of Dover' and 'We'll meet again.'

Among the guests were Squadron Leader Tony Iverson DFC, took part in most of 617 Squadron's high precision operations, including all three sorties against the German battleship TIRPITZ, and went on to become one of the most repected pilots in the Sqaudron.

As well as funds raised through ticket sales for the tea party, and a raffle, almost £3,000 was raised through an auction of pictures and memorabilia. These included a large, framed photograph of Chelsea player, Nicolas Anelka and a framed set of multiple pictures of Robin Gibb himself, which sold for £900.
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Antipodean Andy · Sep 18, 2008

Off to a good start.

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