Bomber Command Memorial (Merged)
Today, Remembrance Sunday 2008, brings us closer than ever to the possibility of a memorial in London to the 55,573 aircrew of Bomber Command who fell in WWII that we may enjoy the freedoms denied to so very many in those benighted times. The Daily Telegraph is in the vanguard of media coverage of this campaign, and their latest piece is to be found at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...bombercommand/
A comprehensive review of all facets of the whys and wherefores, including some useful links. Well worth mulling over!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...bombercommand/
A comprehensive review of all facets of the whys and wherefores, including some useful links. Well worth mulling over!
It is DEFINATELY Saturday 29th. Whatever Duxford have on the following day is not the same thing, and as far as I am aware, has nothing to do with raising funds for the memorial appeal.
Steve
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I was working as a volunteer with the Duxford Aviation Society when the idea of a statue of Arthur Harris was first mooted in the press amongst much controversy.
I recall one wag offering the opinion that we should make it, load it into the BBMF Lancaster and drop it on Dresden.
I recall one wag offering the opinion that we should make it, load it into the BBMF Lancaster and drop it on Dresden.
Duxford have at last corrected their website to show the correct date - Saturday 29 November. We are expecting between 45 and 50 veterans, so be there! It is all in a good cuase.
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National Bomber Command Memorial
Hi All,
Seems like there is "confusion" over what is happening, due to the many different threads that seem to have been appearing on PPRuNe recently, on the Bomber Command Association's plan to erect a NATIONAL RAF BOMBER COMMAND MEMORIAL IN LONDON.
First off, if people go to the FIRST HAND source of information, it is much easier to keep on top of what is going on, and that info can only come from the following organisations:-
THE BOMBER COMMAND ASSOCIATION
RAF BOMBER COMMAND
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The Heritage Foundation
Hope this helps.
Seems like there is "confusion" over what is happening, due to the many different threads that seem to have been appearing on PPRuNe recently, on the Bomber Command Association's plan to erect a NATIONAL RAF BOMBER COMMAND MEMORIAL IN LONDON.
First off, if people go to the FIRST HAND source of information, it is much easier to keep on top of what is going on, and that info can only come from the following organisations:-
THE BOMBER COMMAND ASSOCIATION
RAF BOMBER COMMAND
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The Heritage Foundation
Hope this helps.
Thanks BCH, a timely reminder that the fund raising appeal for a London located Bomber Command Memorial is now well and truly established. Contributions may now be made via Gift Aid as shown on the RAF BOMBER COMMAND website.
Whatever arguments, points of view, hopes and fears for memorials elsewhere, this is the game in town (literally!) now. Harris's Old Lags have waited most of their lives for this, to honour those who remained Young Lags, without the rest of their lives to wait. Time to honour them all and to put the shameful neglect of this duty as a nation behind us. Well done to the BCA, Heritage Association, Daily Telegraph and Robin Gibb.
Whatever arguments, points of view, hopes and fears for memorials elsewhere, this is the game in town (literally!) now. Harris's Old Lags have waited most of their lives for this, to honour those who remained Young Lags, without the rest of their lives to wait. Time to honour them all and to put the shameful neglect of this duty as a nation behind us. Well done to the BCA, Heritage Association, Daily Telegraph and Robin Gibb.
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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)
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)
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Hi Ob1, and well done for getting this thread up and running, as many have seem to have flown the nest so to speak, although enthusiasm seemed to be high here? If you have a look through this thread, I think you will find that there is interest in a Country memorial, as well as a London memorial. The London Memorial I feel is a must though.
Living in Sussex myself, my only reservation having a memorial "close to the clifffs" say, is coastal erosion. It needs to be in a place that will survive the years, so future generations may visit.
Such a placement as Beachy Head for a country memorial is something I like the sound of, as such a Memorial would also not favour any Bomber Command Group, and be more "Neutral" to the memory of those that did not fly with 5 Group say....but just my personal feelings.
Living in Sussex myself, my only reservation having a memorial "close to the clifffs" say, is coastal erosion. It needs to be in a place that will survive the years, so future generations may visit.
Such a placement as Beachy Head for a country memorial is something I like the sound of, as such a Memorial would also not favour any Bomber Command Group, and be more "Neutral" to the memory of those that did not fly with 5 Group say....but just my personal feelings.
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Hi BC Heritage
Many thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I've been away so have only just read it.
Yes I had read much of the previous debate, and I don't really want to start another!
However, just to bring you up to date:
1. I understand (from the latest BCA Newsletter) that a final decision re location has yet to be made.
2. Both the Mayor and Eastbourne Council have now formally come out in support of Beachy Head as a suitable location and have offered a site there. I believe a letter has been sent to BCA
3. As to the unsuitability of a seaside location, I think that is a little bit of a red herring. When commissioned, the location would be taken into account and suitable materials used.
There is no reason at all why the memorial could not be placed at Beachy Head. Joe is continuing with his campaign. If anyone wishes to support him, then they should send a polite email to the BCA (as per my previous post) or write a letter.
Kindest Regards
Many thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I've been away so have only just read it.
Yes I had read much of the previous debate, and I don't really want to start another!
However, just to bring you up to date:
1. I understand (from the latest BCA Newsletter) that a final decision re location has yet to be made.
2. Both the Mayor and Eastbourne Council have now formally come out in support of Beachy Head as a suitable location and have offered a site there. I believe a letter has been sent to BCA
3. As to the unsuitability of a seaside location, I think that is a little bit of a red herring. When commissioned, the location would be taken into account and suitable materials used.
There is no reason at all why the memorial could not be placed at Beachy Head. Joe is continuing with his campaign. If anyone wishes to support him, then they should send a polite email to the BCA (as per my previous post) or write a letter.
Kindest Regards
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Location location location. Who says a memorial has to be static? Try this for an idea. Make the memorial capable of being shifted. One year in London, one in Birmingham, one in Manchester, Edinburgh etc etc. Could even spend a time in Canada, Aus, NZ, SA. Every big city has a central square of some sort. They'd provide the space gratis.
All of which gives me a chance to post my creation again.
All of which gives me a chance to post my creation again.
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Mr Gibb on Sky News today!!
In the interview the following was mentioned.
Thank You Bomber Command Association and Heritage Foundation!
Fantastic
- The Monument will be located in Central London
- Will include the names of the fallen
- Inside will be a statue of aircrew
- Hoping to unveil to the public November 2010!
Thank You Bomber Command Association and Heritage Foundation!
Fantastic
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Bomber Command Memorial
This is certainly great news ! I have been on websites since before last December putting forward my views, especially as I was a w/op in 1945. The design was the kind I was hoping for. I hope I am still around when it is unveiled.
Thank you BC Heritage for alerting us to Robin Gibb's interview. It can be viewed at
:Robin Gibb • Robin Gibb • News • Watch Robin's Bomber Command Interview
The artist's impression certainly looks very impressive and the news that it is intended to bear the names of all the fallen aircrew of the Bombing Campaign is both surprising and very welcome. It was my understanding that the original concept was for a far more modest memorial constrained by the sites available in Central London. Hence our long and at times rather fractious discussions here for a "Country" one that did indeed carry all the names. If this is to happen in Central London this is marvelous news. Mr Gibb speaks of a ceremony in November 2010. I assume that would be one of dedicating the chosen site, in which case there will at last be substance instead of mere words to the duty of this nation to honour these very brave young men.
:Robin Gibb • Robin Gibb • News • Watch Robin's Bomber Command Interview
The artist's impression certainly looks very impressive and the news that it is intended to bear the names of all the fallen aircrew of the Bombing Campaign is both surprising and very welcome. It was my understanding that the original concept was for a far more modest memorial constrained by the sites available in Central London. Hence our long and at times rather fractious discussions here for a "Country" one that did indeed carry all the names. If this is to happen in Central London this is marvelous news. Mr Gibb speaks of a ceremony in November 2010. I assume that would be one of dedicating the chosen site, in which case there will at last be substance instead of mere words to the duty of this nation to honour these very brave young men.
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We did it in Australia
The Memorial here to Bomber Command is a wonderful semi circular steel cutout picture of aircrew. In front is the lacework cone of a searchlight. The annual memorial for Bomber Command at the site pulls in close to 1000 mostly relatives and children.
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Google is our friend. The memorial is sited adjacent to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
This is a link to the opening ceremony in 2005 - Dedication of Bomber Command Memorial, Canberra
This is a link to the opening ceremony in 2005 - Dedication of Bomber Command Memorial, Canberra
