Bomber Command Memorial - Urgent Help Needed
Hello Everyone
I am posting this message on behalf of Joe Williams, an 87 year old former rear gunner, who has been campaigning tirelessly on behalf of veterans and families to have the proposed Bomber Command Memorial erected at Beachy Head and NOT in central London.
With only an old typewriter he works well into the night, writing to as many people as possible, who he believes can help his cause.
Fiercely proud, he is still active in the various RAF associations such as the Air Crew Association. He therefore knows that the proposed siting of this memorial is NOT what the families and veterans want. He feels strongly that this decision has been made without proper consultaion and if it proceeds as planned, it will be the final insult to these brave men and their families.
He has found through his recent contact with the powers that be, that many people in the decision making process are not even aware of the Beachy Head Connection. "Why Beachy Head?" they ask.
The reasons are as follows:
The bombers flew out over Beachy Head. It was the very last sight of Britain the crews would have had as they headed for mainland Europe, and sadly for the many thousands who would not return, it was the very last time they would ever see it.
Therefore people visiting the memorial (if it were to be sited at Beachy Head) would be able to reflect as they try to imagine how those brave young men must have felt.
A park where people go for recreation in the centre of London lacks the appropriate ambience. This is to be a solemn memorial for over 55,000 young men who gave up their lives, and who for nearly seventy years have had that ultimate of sacrifices ignored.
The sheer volume of people plus the noise and the traffic in London will dilute the effect of the memorial, which will become just another piece of stone masonry among many. This would not be the case at the beautiful and serene Beachy Head with all its grandeur.
Families can visit Beachy Head easily. Every year nearby Eastbourne hosts the world's largest "seaside air show" yet despite the awsome power of the most modern aircraft such as the Typhoon, it is the Lancaster accompanied by the Hurricane and Spitfire that receives the standing ovation and applause from the crowd.
Joe and his colleagues envisage a memorial like the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel Le Ferne at Folkestone. He points out that the dead of Bomber Command made their sacrifice in terrible circumstances. Many lie in cemeteries across Europe, others were lost to the Deep. Many thousands however have no known grave. This is to be their memorial.
Joe has been told that the decision has been made. "The memorial will be in London," they say. Yet with the dogged determination so typical of his generation he fights on for his fallen comrades.
Finally there will be a memorial and a great wrong will be righted, we are told. Please don't allow this to be just another lip service. Help it to be something enduring we can all be proud of.
Please support Joe and his comrades and take a few minutes to contact Mr Robin Gibb President of the Heritage Foundation or contact Bomber Command Association, via their websites, (or indeed anyone else you can think of)
Thank you for taking the time to read this post
Carol Steel LLB (RAF Ret'd)