It's official, Lord Ashcroft's offer accepted...
 

Dambuster Les Munro accepts $150,000 offer to keep medals in New Zealand - National - NZ Herald News


Lord Ashcroft visited NZ last week....

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-N...2846869255742]

Cheers

Octane

You can email him personally to thank him here

Contact Us - Feedback - Michael Ashcroft

I just have.

Yeah me too Fox least we can do top man

Me too... some faith restored that someone, somewhere believes in the right things.

Fox3
 

Thanks for the link, email sent also.
I think Lord Ashcroft was unaware there was a Lancaster in NZ. It seems he may have made a trip to visit it. The article says it was the first time he had been inside one, some good photo's..

Cheers

Octane

I believe my OC Ops from Watton in the second half of the 60s, Wg Cdr Bill Simpson, a former Pathfinder, was involved with that Lancaster

Wander00
 

The MOTAT Lancaster was donated to NZ in the early '60's by the French. They also gave one each to Australia and the UK (think they were used as MPA in the Pacific). The MOTAT one is in excellent condition I believe and possibly a potential flyer if they hadn't built a hanger around it...

I see as an aside that another dambuster, Gibson's air gunner Flt Lt R.J.Trevor Roper's DFC and DFM have just been sold at auction for £120,000, at Sherbourne in Dorset. Makes me wonder if the pre-sale estimates for Les Munro's medals might not have been on the low side. Whatever, I'm very pleased that the matter was resolved by Lord Ashcroft's very generous gesture.

TankerTrashNav
 

I wonder if Lord Ashcroft made his decision after visiting NZ and experiencing their Lancaster....

I too wrote to Lord A and asked him to intercede with Les's sale of medals.

What a fabulous result, a whole heap of thanks and kudos to Lord A and his staff that made it happen.

Well done Sqn Ldr Les Munro - another successful sortie (red entry) to add to the others.

Lest we Forget . . .

Got a nice note back from Lord A thanking me for my note of support to him. What a true British gent! :ok:

BZ

I also got a nice reply. What a contrast from when I wrote to my (soon to be ex) MP on a different matter. Not even an automated reply. Full marks Lord Ashcroft.

Likewise with a reply from Lord Ashcroft, though I have always had good service from my UK MPs. I note though that I have been extraordinarily lucky, and all my former MPs have retired/are retiring shortly because they are fed up with modern politics.

A video of...
 

the ceremony where Lord Ashcroft returns Sqd Ldr Les Munro's medals to Les who in turn donates them to MOTAT. Filmed in front of the museums Lancaster with Bomber Command survivors present makes moving viewing.
That this was Lord Ashcrofts 2nd visit to NZ in a month is a testament to his dedication, generosity and commitment to the cause. Well done again Sir and to Les, and his comrades that attended....

Octane


Les Munro: Last Dambuster's 'heavy burden' - National - NZ Herald News

Just watched the video - lot of dust in the air round here

A perfect result though not all are so successful..

Another medal selling story that brings heartache to the family

The high price of selling a Victoria Cross - Abroad in the Yard