550 Squadron RAF

Per ignem vincimus - Through fire we conquer

"The fighters are our salvation but the bombers alone provide the means of victory"
Winston Churchill 
September 1940

550 Squadron Formation

No. 550 Squadron RAF was formed at Waltham, near Grimsby, in November 1943, as a Lancaster heavy-bomber squadron in No. 1 Group and began operations that same month. Early in the New Year it moved to North Killingholme - also near Grimsby - and from there continued to play its part in the bomber offensive until late April 1945, when it switched to dropping food to the starving Dutch people.

Roll of Honour

"Remember The Many"

Squadron History

550 Squadron Crest
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Brief history of 550 Squadron

Squadron Memorials

550 Squadron Memorial Window

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The stained glass window dedicated to 550 Squadron in
St Denys' Church, North Killingholme.

Squadron Association

550 Squadron Crest
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550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association

Reunions

550 Squadron Reunions over the years
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Remembrance

Remembrance Sunday 2021
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North Killingholme

St Denys' Church, North Killingholme
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Association Museum

550 Squadron Association Museum
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Association Newsletter

550 Squadron Association Newsletter
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St Denys' Church

St Denys' Church, North Killingholme
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Service Men and Operations

550 Squadron Information
List of detailed reports on 550 Squadron Service Personnel, operations, etc
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Lists of: Service Personnel Operations

Roll of Honour: Simple Detailed/extended

Log Books

Lancaster air-crew log books and service histories
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Photos

Photos of RAF 550 Squadron 1944-1945
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Photos continue to arrive and appear online here

Politz Raid 08/02/45

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Aschaffenburg Raid 21/11/1944
Last operation of The Phantom of the Ruhr

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Pforzheim Raid 23/02/45

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Special Order Of The Day, V E Day

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All His fault ... a log book says it all

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PoW Responsibilities

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"The Crew who Started D-Day" F/O K Bowen-Bravery CdG DFC and Crew
BQ-J, Bad Penny II	CdG Citation

The Phantom of the Ruhr - 2007 Unveiling

Unveiling of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster in April 2007
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The Phantom of the Ruhr - Photos

BBMF Lancaster BQ-B
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BBMF Lancaster - Photos

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster
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550 Squadron: FTR

550 Squadron Lancasters (that failed to return)
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request for information

Thirty Missions by Roger Kirby

Thirty Missions by Roger Kirby
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Roger Kirby's tribute, to his father (a nav with 550) and to RAF Bomber Command
More information can be found at http://www.30missions.com/.
This Daily Telegraph review from 2008 describes some of the background to the paintings.

Bomber Command Memorial Virtual Service

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31 October 2021 at 12 noon

Bomber Command Memorial

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Arrived Green Park: May 2012 Unveiled: June 2012

Unveiling of Bomber Command Memorial
Poppy Salute

28th June 2012

Bomber Command Clasp

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Recently announced by the UK Government for those who flew at least one operational mission over Germany and France

PLUS: Bomber Command Clasp Presentations by Prime Minister Cameron: 550 Squadron represented

Books and Magazines

Books
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Searching for Information?

RAF Squadrons and Bomber Command information
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There is a large amount of information about RAF Bomber Command
available on the Web

Requests For Information
Request for information on Sgts Sheridan and McVey killed 4th October 1944 in NF963 on a training flight with the F/O S H Hayter crew. Both men were from Scotland and are buried in Glasgow and Lanarkshire repectively. For more details click here. If you can help with information on any of the requests then do please contact the web-site.
A mounted copy of an original Phantom of The Ruhr print has been given to the 550 Museum. Over the years the Association has received many requests for information such as concerning the above print or about individual air-crew, aircraft, operations, etc. You can find many of these queries on the requests for information page. If you can help with information on any of the requests then do please contact the web-site.

Requests For Information

Request for information on Sgts Sheridan and McVey killed 4th October 1944 in NF963 on a training flight with the F/O S H Hayter crew. Both men were from Scotland and are buried in Glasgow and Lanarkshire repectively.

For more details click here.

If you can help with information on any of the requests then do please contact the web-site.

A mounted copy of an original Phantom of The Ruhr print has been given to the 550 Museum.

Over the years the Association has received many requests for information such as concerning the above print or about individual air-crew, aircraft, operations, etc. You can find many of these queries on the requests for information page.

If you can help with information on any of the requests then do please contact the web-site.

In The Media
TV and Newspaper Items A collection of items that have appeared on TV, on the radio or in newspapers, some specifically about 550 Squadron or North Killingholme, and others more generally about Bomber Command. Follow this link.

Royal British Legion

Royal British Legion
Shoulder to shoulder with all who serve
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Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day 2020 Saturday 27th June
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The men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present, deserve our remembrance and appreciation.

The 2020 National Event to be held in Scarborough on Saturday 27th June 2020.
Local events will be taking place across the country.

Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus outbreak, this years Armed Forces Day National Event hosted by Scarborough Borough Council has been cancelled.

Other Armed Forces Day events may also be affected by COVID-19.
Please contact the individual event organisers for further information on specific events.

To get involved, visit the Armed Forces Day National Event web-page.

Help for Heroes

A charity for the wounded in Britain's current conflicts.
It is all about the men and women of the Armed Forces.
Practical, direct support for our wounded.
See how you can help.
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Miscellaneous
Association Contacts 550 Squadron Association contact names/details are available here	Web-site information Web-site information, including the details associated with setting up the web-site, contact information and reference sites hosted on the same server(s) is available from the here Note that the web-pages have been defined/implemented principally for viewing on PC (laptop or desktop) on web browsers, and have not been adapted for viewing on mobile devices (smart-phones, tablets). Re-engineering pages for better viewing on mobile devices remains a future aspiration. The (technical) server details are outlined here.

Miscellaneous

Association Contacts

550 Squadron Association contact names/details are available here

Web-site information

Web-site information, including the details associated with setting up the web-site, contact information and reference sites hosted on the same server(s) is available from the here
Note that the web-pages have been defined/implemented principally for viewing on PC (laptop or desktop) on web browsers, and have not been adapted for viewing on mobile devices (smart-phones, tablets). Re-engineering pages for better viewing on mobile devices remains a future aspiration.
The (technical) server details are outlined here.

Site Search

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a legal framework that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information of individuals within the European Union (EU). It came into force on 25 May 2018.
The form below sets out the Association policy and includes a consent form for the collection and storage of personal information (contact details).

GDPR Form (PDF)

The Annual Subscription Form for Association Members is now online.
Contact details included in the form.

Membership Form (MSWord) Membership Form (PDF)

Association Merchandise
	"Five Fifty" (by Patrick Otter), ties, badges, prints

550 Sqdn Facebook Group

RAF Bomber-Command
Facebook Group

VE Day
North Killingholme

Remembrance Flag over Memorial Stone
VE Day 2020

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COVID-19 Update

15/06/2021
Museum Re-Opened

This notice first published in June 2021 and applies until further notice.

Due to the on-going COVID-19 situation the 550 Squadron Museum in North Killingholme that was closed for most of 2020 is now RE-OPENED. Following recent Parish Council meetings official permission to re-open the Museum has been given. The usual COVID-19 restrictions apply (sanitiser, masks and social distancing).

18/06/2021
Reunion Cancellation

Due to the on-going COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation the 550 Squadron Association Reunion planned for July 2021 in North Killingholme is CANCELLED.
For more information see cancellation details.

The 2020 COVID-19 notices have been moved to this archive page.

As and when new information becomes available for 2021 the web-site will be updated.

Latest Site Updates

20/01/2022

The funeral service for Peter Spindler, was held on Wednesday 19th January 2022 at St Nicholas Church, Church Hill, Pyrford, Surrey. See link for more details.

01/01/2022

Happy New Year to all our veterans and association members.

21/12/2021

The Association was sad to learn that Peter Spindler (F/O Spindler DFC And Bar, navigator with the S/Ldr E Pickles crew) passed away in early December after a short illness. Peter served his second tour with 550 Squadron and provided many photos and much information about ops on the squadron over the past years.

11/12/2021

Further 550 Sqdn log books added, specifically that of Sgt R O Smith wireless operator with the F/Sgt DT Williams crew.

04/12/2021

The Association was sad to learn the news that Edward Lloyd Fleming (pilot of the P/O E L Fleming crew) passed away on 27th November. Edwards's funeral service, on Monday 13 December 2021 at St. John the Baptist Church, ACT will be live-streamed; follow this link for more details .

21/11/2021

Updates with further 550 Sqdn log books added, specifically that of Sgt E W Parker mid-upper air-gunner with the W/O W H S Ansell crew.

15/11/2021

Photos from the 2021 Remembrance in North Killingholme are online at: Remembrance 2021.

30/10/2021Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings for the meals by
Sunday 31st October. If you are planning to attend Remembrance events please confirm interest by
5th November.
Thank you.

26/10/2021

At Midday on Sunday 31 October, tribute will be paid to all the brave young men who courageously served in Bomber Command through a special, virtual, Bomber Command Memorial service conducted by Reverend (Squadron Leader) Chrissie Lacey, Station Chaplain, RAF High Wycombe. See: Bomber Command Memorial Virtual Service.
Visit rafbf.org/bcmvs for more information and to register.

22/10/2021

Updates with further 550 Sqdn log books added and amended.

10/10/2021

Update

"I'll be Back For Breakfast"

See: Back For Breakfast for more information about how a copy of the book can be ordered.

05/10/2021

October 2021 Newsletter: now in distribution (Remembrance Weekend details).
See Issue 80 (October 2021) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

30/09/2021 & 03/10/2021

Photos, and indeed some video footage, from the commemorations on 29th September in Rebecq, Belgium are now online here.

25/09/2021

The October 2021 newsletter is due to be distributed shortly. Key in that are the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme. The details that will be included, along with other items, in the newsletter are available here (PDF format document).

24/09/2021

Coming soon

"I'll be Back For Breakfast"

The life and times of S/Ldr Edgar Pickles DFC and Bar veteran of 550 Squadron. See: Back For Breakfast for more information.

24/09/2021

The year 2021 coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Rebecq Association. Originally, the tribute was being paid to the crew of the 550 Squadron Lancaster Lancaster JA712/BQ-H, lost over Rebecq on 28th May 1944. The memorial event was extended to all crews of 550 Squadron who fell over Belgium. Since that time the tribute has been extended to all those who fell, while under the command of the Royal Air Force, in Belgium during WWII. This tenth anniversary event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 29th September 2021 at 10:00 AM. For details see: Events 2021 Belgium.

23/09/2021

Happy 101st birthday

W/Cmdr (retd.) Jack Harris OBE DFC, veteran pilot of 37 operations with 550 Squadron and founder member of the 550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association, recently celebrated his 101st birthday. See some photos of the celebrations.

16/09/2021

YouTube video on F/O Roy Kay (who evaded capture after being shot down with the S/Ldr G S Smith DFC crew in ME840, Sterkrade, 16 Jun 1944). See: video here; in Dutch but with English subtitles.

15/09/2021

Update about the bracelet belonging to Sgt Habgood (of the F/O H Jones crew of NE164) discovered in 2018.

The following item has appeared in The Daily Mail Online: Murdered RAF bombardier's family are reunited with his bracelet
Also available in The Telegraph online (you will need a subscription to read it): Murdered airman's family reunited with bracelet that survived concentration camp fire pit.

05/09/2021

Pages from the log book of Sgt J F Chapman wireless operator with the F/O K F Sidwell crew now available here.

03/09/2021

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme this November, please note that it is hoped that this can still take place as planned (details in the link). Changes to plans will be notified here as soon as they are known.

03/09/2021

This item "Sir Arthus Harris and some Myths and Controversies of the Bomber Offensive" from the RAF Historical Society (2009) archive may be of interest. See https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/Research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Bomber_harris.pdf.

08/08/2021

Information update on dates for future reunions 2022 and beyond: see details in Advance Notice (Events beyond 2021) below.

10/07/2021 & 13/07/2021

Yet again, our reunion was cancelled due to the pandemic, but a small group of committee members paid their respects at 2.00pm on behalf of all the Association members. As you can see, the scene was set for this very short service, a musician from 866 Squadron cadets played the Last Post, wreaths were laid, and Poppy crosses planted on behalf of some members. See: 2021 Reunion for photos.
Let us hope that we can all get together again next year.

05/07/2021

Photos of a memorial to Sgt F Turner of the W/O Collier crew lost on the 2nd/3rd December 1943 on an operation to Berlin when LM301 was shot down in the Hannover-Braunschweig area by a nightfighter. Six of the crew were killed and one became a PoW.

18/06/2021

Following the changes announced by the government recently (Monday 14th June) in respect of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions being extended the Reunion Weekend in North Killingholme (9th-11th July) has been cancelled. See the Reunion Cancellation note (above) for details.
See also the updated information on the flypast and other details in Events in 2021 below.

15/06/2021

Following the changes announced by the government yesterday (Monday 14th June) in respect of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions being extended for one month the plans for the Reunion Weekend in North Killingholme (9th-11th July) need to be revised. As soon as the approach is agreed and finalised the details will be posted here (and on the Association Facebook page).

06/06/2021

June 2021 Newsletter: now in distribution (Reunion Weekend details).
See Issue 79 (June 2021) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters). The newsletter contains the booking form (and including menu selections for the Friday and Saturday evening dinners).
The booking form, including menu selections are already available online:
Reunion 2021 Booking Form (MS Word Format)
Reunion 2021 Booking Form (PDF Format)
It is important that booking forms are returned as soon as possible but no later than Friday 25th June (to help with the arrangements).
See the updated information on the flypast and other details in Events in 2021 below.

05/06/2021

Publication of the June newsletter is imminent. The newsletter contains the details of the Annual Reunion weekend events, which will include a flypast by one of the BBMF Spitfires. The newsletter will also contain the booking form (and including menu selections for the Friday and Saturday evening dinners).
The booking form, including menu selections are already available online:
Reunion 2021 Booking Form (MS Word Format)
Reunion 2021 Booking Form (PDF Format)
It is important that booking forms are returned as soon as possible but no later than Friday 25th June (to help with the arrangements).
See the updated information on the flypast and other details in Events in 2021 below.

02/06/2021

New photos related to the P/O N D Holdsworth crew are now available and online. These are photos taken on operations on the bomb runs (ca. 18 such photos now available).

30/05/2021

The June newsletter will be published shortly with the details of the Annual Reunion weekend events, which will include a flypast by one of the BBMF Spitfires. The newsletter will contain the booking form (and including menu selections for the Friday and Saturday evening dinners). It is important that booking forms are returned as soon as possible but no later than Friday 25th June (to help with the arrangements). See the updated information on the requested flypast and other details in Events in 2021 below.

Latest Updates: Archive here

Announcements

2021

Events Summary 2021

Complete list of 2021 events (and archive of events in earlier years).
All 2021 events are subject to the circumstances applying at the time due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic situation.
It is hoped that the Annual Reunion and Remembrance weekends can take place, and more details will be added as soon as they are known.
Until then please re-visit the web-site periodically to see what the situation is with respect to these events.

Annual Reunion, North Killingholme

Friday 9th - Sunday 11th July 2021 updated 18/06/2021

Please note: the reunion weekend is CANCELLED.

The Government revised the plans to end all COVID-19 restrictions by 21st June, which have been extended by one month. Therefore it is no longer possible to go ahead with the reunion for the weekend of the 9th-11th July.

BBMF flypast requested for Saturday 10th July. The BBMF Lancaster PA474 is currently undergoing a major servicing update therefore the BBMF have confirmed that a Spitfire will be available for the North Killingholme flypast over St Denys' Church. The museum will be open for visitors and an airfield tour will be possible for those interested.
NB: the usual caveats of weather, serviceability and BBMF operational requirements permitting (in addition to the COVID-19 situation and government guidelines).

Reunion weekend: summary

Full details were published in June newsletter, but a revision email informing of the cancellation of the event is being distributed.

Accommodation: For those planning to stay over-night/over-weekend this travel and accommodation information may be of interest.
If you have not already booked then booking as soon as possible strongly recommended!

Full Saturday Itinerary: summary

Booking forms and the menu selections will accompany the June 2021 Newsletter (with the request that the booking forms be returned by Friday 25th June):

Reunion Booking Form: PDF format or MSWord format

Belgium

Rebecq: Wednesday 29 Sept 2021

Please note: the 75th Anniversary Event originally planned for May 2021 (postponed from May 2020) in Rebecq (Belgium) was pushed back until September 2021. Thankfully the event was, finally, able to take place. See: 2021 events.

Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 14th November (Services)

The Association Newsletter Issue 80 (October 2021) contains details of the Remembrance weekend plans for this year.
Any changes to be notified as soon as known on this web-site.

Advance Notice

The dates for the Annual Reunion for 2022 and beyond are shown below and the Ashbourne Hotel is correspondingly booked on the basis of these dates. You may want to pencil these dates into your diary (the dates are of course still subject to change, but updates will be notified on this web-site).

Fri/Sat 8th & 9th July 2022
Fri/Sat 7th & 8th July 2023
Fri/Sat 12th & 13th July 2024
Fri/Sat 11th & 12th July 2025 (early notice)
Fri/Sat 10th & 11th July 2026 (early notice)

Events: Archive detailed brief

550 Squadron RAF

550 Squadron Formation

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2021

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