Proposed Bomber Command Memorial in Lincoln
There has never been anything built that doesn't generate a few wines from
observers with a key board or handy pen!
This is a Lincolnshire tribute to the Bomber Boys who served at Bomber Command bases in Lincolnshire. That's all, no need to object that there was no Lincolnshire Bomber Command, no need to object that it should be at this place or that, if you would like to have one somewhere else get off your chair and do what the people in Lincolnshire have been doing for the last few years.
In my mind this is an fantastic gesture and it will be a fitting tribute to thousands of young men to whom I will be forever grateful.
Well done and a big thank you to all concerned.
observers with a key board or handy pen!
This is a Lincolnshire tribute to the Bomber Boys who served at Bomber Command bases in Lincolnshire. That's all, no need to object that there was no Lincolnshire Bomber Command, no need to object that it should be at this place or that, if you would like to have one somewhere else get off your chair and do what the people in Lincolnshire have been doing for the last few years.
In my mind this is an fantastic gesture and it will be a fitting tribute to thousands of young men to whom I will be forever grateful.
Well done and a big thank you to all concerned.
GT, I'm not objecting to the Bomber Command Centre being in Lincoln, for it was right at the centre of the campaign, be it in Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, East Midlands, wherever. I too congratulate Lincolnshire on its initiative to found this centre. My only plea is that it tells the story of the campaign in its entirety, not restricting it artificially to activity within its own boundaries 'and adjacent airfields'.
Why be so restrictive? This is the one chance we will have (it is ridiculous to suggest that anyone who feels like it should build their own BC Centres, as though they be a chain of supermarkets). If this site doesn't try to tell the story of the whole campaign, dotting the i's and crossing the t's as caped crusader alluded to, then it will not happen. To simply tell the Lincolnshire story will mean that it is not a Bomber Command Centre at all, but a 1 & 5 Group one. Is that what you want? Is that what it should be called?
Let us honour all 55,573 and tell future generations why they died, and what they died for. Let us tell them of the Bombing Campaign of WW2 in full.
Why be so restrictive? This is the one chance we will have (it is ridiculous to suggest that anyone who feels like it should build their own BC Centres, as though they be a chain of supermarkets). If this site doesn't try to tell the story of the whole campaign, dotting the i's and crossing the t's as caped crusader alluded to, then it will not happen. To simply tell the Lincolnshire story will mean that it is not a Bomber Command Centre at all, but a 1 & 5 Group one. Is that what you want? Is that what it should be called?
Let us honour all 55,573 and tell future generations why they died, and what they died for. Let us tell them of the Bombing Campaign of WW2 in full.
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Ah, Bicester.
I applaud Lincoln for getting off its backside and doing something about it, but I do wonder at its introspective approach. Capel Le Ferne isn't a memorial to Kent's fighter pilots, but to all of ours. The geography doesn't matter but in fairness, Lincs is the one which made it happen - it pays the piper, it calls the tune (alas?). Maybe it was up to everywhere else to do what Lincy did? Maybe it could have been more collaberative, maybe it could have been pointed out earlier - such nitpicking might be seen as sour grapes so enough of that from me.
George Galloway made a fabulous speech the other night, arguing against Scottish independence. He referred to it mattering not one jot about where pilots spinning high above Kent came from, Suffolk or Sutherland, but that they came from everywhere on this 'little rock'. He makes me smile.. I can imagine him speaking like this to his foamed up reflection every morning though, scary. Worth a few minutes of your time though..
https://audioboo.fm/boos/2281076-geo...t-to-edinburgh
I think we are becoming encouraged to think more and more local. Local authorities are gaining more control as central government farms out responsibility. They need to justify it, I get so much tat from my local council, it isn't true. It's the particular arc of the political circle we're currently in I guess. Rutland has a wicker Spitfire on the Oakham bypass; not particularly splendid or grand, but it is to remind us of RAF sacrifice fullstop, not just local RAF sacrifice.
I applaud Lincoln for getting off its backside and doing something about it, but I do wonder at its introspective approach. Capel Le Ferne isn't a memorial to Kent's fighter pilots, but to all of ours. The geography doesn't matter but in fairness, Lincs is the one which made it happen - it pays the piper, it calls the tune (alas?). Maybe it was up to everywhere else to do what Lincy did? Maybe it could have been more collaberative, maybe it could have been pointed out earlier - such nitpicking might be seen as sour grapes so enough of that from me.
George Galloway made a fabulous speech the other night, arguing against Scottish independence. He referred to it mattering not one jot about where pilots spinning high above Kent came from, Suffolk or Sutherland, but that they came from everywhere on this 'little rock'. He makes me smile.. I can imagine him speaking like this to his foamed up reflection every morning though, scary. Worth a few minutes of your time though..
https://audioboo.fm/boos/2281076-geo...t-to-edinburgh
I think we are becoming encouraged to think more and more local. Local authorities are gaining more control as central government farms out responsibility. They need to justify it, I get so much tat from my local council, it isn't true. It's the particular arc of the political circle we're currently in I guess. Rutland has a wicker Spitfire on the Oakham bypass; not particularly splendid or grand, but it is to remind us of RAF sacrifice fullstop, not just local RAF sacrifice.
Last edited by Al R; 28th Jun 2014 at 11:43. Reason: Spelling etc.
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No politics involved
"Let us honour all 55,573 and tell future generations why they died, and what they died for. Let us tell them of the Bombing Campaign of WW2 in full."
Chug, sorry if I did not explain properly in my post that the interpretation centre will tell the full story of the Bombing Campaign in WW2.
"If this is really a case of the ball being punted around by local politicians, jealous of their own claims to the appalling casualty lists, then shame on them is all I can."
No politics involved. The Lord Lieutenant is not a politician but Her Majesty's representative in the County. The Trustees include the present VCDS, a former CO of 9 squadron.
Chug, sorry if I did not explain properly in my post that the interpretation centre will tell the full story of the Bombing Campaign in WW2.
"If this is really a case of the ball being punted around by local politicians, jealous of their own claims to the appalling casualty lists, then shame on them is all I can."
No politics involved. The Lord Lieutenant is not a politician but Her Majesty's representative in the County. The Trustees include the present VCDS, a former CO of 9 squadron.
caped crusader, thank you for the update and it is for me to apologise for the misunderstanding re the interpretation centre rather than you. So the full story (especially the politics within and without the RAF High Command) will be told there, but the separate Memorial will be dedicated only to those listed in the Scrolls of Honour deposited at Lincoln Cathedral? If that is so then again I ask, why stop there? The Scrolls at York, Ely, and Lincoln together with whatever small memorials are in those places were what was deemed appropriate in 1949 when a National BC Memorial was a complete no no (because of the politics).
Are we to continue in such an introspective way? (Good word and excellent post Al R, as always!). Those who propound localism should be careful what they wish for, lest it drills deeper than even they would want. I'm sure that the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire is above such mean thinking, as are the ones of Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, etc, so why not all get together and make both the Interpretation Centre and the Memorial a truly combined National Tribute to Bomber Command? It is the only one we will ever get, I'm sure. That carries a heavy responsibility to get it right!
Are we to continue in such an introspective way? (Good word and excellent post Al R, as always!). Those who propound localism should be careful what they wish for, lest it drills deeper than even they would want. I'm sure that the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire is above such mean thinking, as are the ones of Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, etc, so why not all get together and make both the Interpretation Centre and the Memorial a truly combined National Tribute to Bomber Command? It is the only one we will ever get, I'm sure. That carries a heavy responsibility to get it right!
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My father was one of the 55,573 killed flying from RAF Bourn Cambs and I have contributed to the Bomber Memorial in Green Park and personally think that is enough, although there is a plaque being unveiled at Bourn on Sunday 24th August which I have also contributed to commemorating all those based there during WW11.
Lancaster flypast at 2.45pm weather permitting see Home - RAFBournmemorial for details.
Lancaster flypast at 2.45pm weather permitting see Home - RAFBournmemorial for details.
George Galloway made a fabulous speech the other night, arguing against Scottish independence. He referred to it mattering not one jot about where pilots spinning high above Kent came from, Suffolk or Sutherland, but that they came from everywhere on this 'little rock'. He makes me smile.. I can imagine him speaking like this to his foamed up reflection every morning though, scary. Worth a few minutes of your time though..
George Galloway has also been vociferously condemning Israel recently and I agree with his opinions on that conflict too. As the late Robin Cook argued, we will never have peace in the Middle East until the Palestinians have statehood.
GG was a fool to go on Big Brother though - he must have needed the money at the time!
