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
(click on picture)
Brief history of 550 Squadron

Squadron Memorials

550 Squadron Memorial Window

(click on picture)
The stained glass window dedicated to 550 Squadron in
St Denys' Church, North Killingholme.

Squadron Association

550 Squadron Crest
(click on picture)
550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association

Reunions

550 Squadron Reunions over the years
(click on picture)

Remembrance

Remembrance Sunday 2021
(click on picture)

North Killingholme

St Denys' Church, North Killingholme
(click on picture)

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
(click on picture)

Service Men and Operations

550 Squadron Information
List of detailed reports on 550 Squadron Service Personnel, operations, etc
(click on picture)

Lists of: Service Personnel Operations Aircraft

Roll of Honour: Basic Detailed/extended

Cemeraries: Detailed list

Log Books

Lancaster air-crew log books and service histories
(click on picture)

Photos

Photos of RAF 550 Squadron 1944-1945
(click on picture)

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
(click on picture)

The Phantom of the Ruhr - Photos

BBMF Lancaster BQ-B
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BBMF Lancaster - Photos

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster
(click on picture)

550 Squadron: FTR

550 Squadron Lancasters (that failed to return)
Request for information
(click on picture)

IBCC Digital Archive

IBCC Digital Archive
Archive of interviews with 550 veterans
(click on picture)

Thirty Missions by Roger Kirby

Thirty Missions by Roger Kirby
Roger Kirby's tribute to his father and to RAF Bomber Command
More information at http://www.30missions.com/.
Daily Telegraph review (2008) describes the background
(click on picture)

Bomber Command Memorial

Arrived Green Park: May 2012 Unveiled: June 2012
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Unveiling of Bomber Command Memorial

Poppy Salute 28th June 2012
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Bomber Command Memorial Virtual Service

31 October 2021 at 12 noon
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Books and Magazines

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Bomber Command Clasp

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
(click on picture)

Searching for Information?

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

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.
(click on picture)

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

(click on picture)

COVID-19 Update

15/06/2021
Museum Re-Opened

This notice was 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. COVID-19 restrictions (sanitiser, masks and social distancing) according to any government guidelines applicable at the time.

The 2020/2021 COVID-19 notices have been moved to this archive page.

Latest Site Updates

31/08/2022

Added to the web-site a clickable map of 550 Squadron crash sites in Belgium, Denmark, France and The Netherlands, for which there is a memorial on or near the crash site.

30/07/2022

Added to the web-site some recently received ground-crew information. The service record of fitter T/Sgt D S Price. In addition a photo of the Radar section with LAC(W) Helen Lambie (later Mrs. Price) identified, see Radar section, May 1944.
The addition of T/Sgt Price and LAC(W) Lambie brings the total number of service personnel record in the site database to 1884.

28/07/2022

Added to the web-site are a couple of recently received photos of F/Sgt Mozley (W/Op with the F/O Blackler crew). Also now available F/Sgt Mozley's log book.

23/07/2022

Today there was a full-page item in The Daily Mail about a number of letters discovered describing the details surrounding the loss of 550 Lancaster RA502 and in particular Sgt. Norman Tinsley of F/O Lohrey crew.
See also the Fleville Memorial dedicated to the two Lancaster crews involved in this crash.

22/07/2022

The 2022 reunion weekend page is updated with video footage of the flypast by a BBMF Spitfire (click image above).
For the full set of photos and information about the weekend events see Reunion 2022.

21/07/2022

A recent addition to the web-site is a link to an interview given, from 2004, of Frank Petch RAAF (W/Op with the F/O G H Markes crew) on the "Australians at War Film Archive". A full transcript of the interview is also available from the link, or can be read in a local copy (PDF format) on the F./O Markes crew web-page.

17/07/2022

The 2022 reunion weekend page is updated with the welcome speech in the church, the reunion dinner toasts, the slide-set displayed at the dinner (showing past reunions and 2022 commenorative events) and some photos from the Sunday morning airfield tour: see Reunion 2022.

10/07/2022

The flypast by one of the BBMF Spitfires at 14:16 hours over St Denys' Church. Photos of this and the weekend events available at: Reunion 2022.

07/07/2022

The flypast by one of the BBMF Spitfires is confirmed for (the slightly adjusted time of) 14:20 hours over St Denys' Church. The schedule is for 3 passes over the church. The weather is looking good so it should be a wonderful show.
NB: the usual caveats of weather, serviceability and BBMF operational requirements permitting

24/06/2022 Final Reminder

Please, if you are planning to attend the Reunion 2022 in North Killingholme, confirm bookings by completing the form in the last newsletter and returning by today, Friday 24th June at the latest. Thank you.

23/06/2022 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Reunion 2022 in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings by completing the form in the last newsletter and returning
by Friday 24th June. Thank you.

08/06/2022

The Association was sad to learn that Brian Sibree (navigator with the F/O L Wareham crew) passed away in May. See link for more details.

07/06/2022

June 2022 Newsletter: now in distribution (full Reunion Weekend details).
See Issue 82 (June 2022) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

See below the latest information about events planned to take place in North Killingholme over the reunion weekend, including a flypast by one of the BBMF Spitfires.

24/05/2022

Information and photos from the commemorations on 22nd May in Westerlo, Belgium are available here.

23/05/2022

Information and photos from the commemorations on 6th May in Gendringen, The Netherlands are available here.

22/05/2022

Information and photos from the commemorations on 18th May in Rebecq, Belgium are available here.

17/05/2022

Added a link the IBCC Digital Archive (of 550 veterans interviews) page to this main page. See here.

05/04/2022

The latest information about events planned to take place in Belgium in 2022 is available here.

21/03/2022

March 2022 Newsletter: now in distribution (Reunion Weekend details).
See Issue 81 (March 2022) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

12/03/2022

Special Edition of FlyPast Magazine marking the Lancaster at 80

FlyPast Lancaster 80 souvenir edition (published mid-February)

Feature item: "Five Fifty"
Patrick Otter describes 550 Squadron's trio of "Centenarian" Lancasters and how their unit nearly had a quartet of them.
See FlyPast Lancaster 80 Souvenir edition

07/03/2022

It was with great sadness that the Association learned of the death of Mary Bowen-Bravery, wife of 550 Squadron pilot Kenyon Bowen-Bravery DFC CdG. Mary attended reunions in North Killingholme in recent years accompanied by her daughters. Mary's funeral will take place at 11am on March 23rd, at St Mary the Blessed Virgin Church, The Street, Brabourne, TN25 5LR. Anyone who knew her is invited to attend. Please follow the link for more details.

26/02/2022

The latest information about events planned to take place in 2022 is available here.

Latest Updates: Archive here

Announcements

2022

Events Summary 2022

Complete list of 2022 events (and archive of events in earlier years).
It is planned that the Annual Reunion and Remembrance weekends will take place, and more details will be added as soon as they are known.
Early notice of some commemorative events in Europe is also available.
As usual please re-visit the web-site periodically to see what the situation is with respect to these events.

Annual Reunion, North Killingholme

Friday 8th - Sunday 10th July 2022

BBMF flypast requested for Saturday 9th July

The Association Newsletter Issue 82 (June 2022) contains details of the Reunion weekend plans for this year.
A flypast by one of the BBMF Spitfires is confirmed for 14:24 hours over St Denys' Church.
NB: the usual caveats of weather, serviceability and BBMF operational requirements permitting.

Reunion weekend: summary

Full details will be published in June newsletter.

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 accompany the June 2022 Newsletter (with the request that the booking forms be returned by Friday 24th June):

Reunion booking form: PDF format or MSWord format

The Netherlands

Gendringen: Friday 6th May 2022
Unveiling of a memorial in Gendringen to remember all (500+) casualties during WWII in the former municipalities of Gendringen and Wisch. These victims are, citizens, Dutch, Canadian, English and German soldiers and RAF victims of the nine crashes in that area. The crashes commemorated include S/Ldr G S Smith and the crew of ME840.
See: link for details.

Belgium

Rebecq: Wednesday 18th May 2022
A combined ceremony to remember the six 550 Squadron crews who crashed in Belgium. See: link for details.

Westerlo: Sunday 22nd May 2022
A ceremony to remember the P/O Hinde crew fallen at Westerlo on 22nd May 1944. See: link for details.

Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 13th November (Services)

Any changes to be notified as soon as known on this web-site.

Advance Notice

The dates for the Annual Reunion for 2023 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 7th & 8th July 2023
Fri/Sat 12th & 13th July 2024
Fri/Sat 11th & 12th July 2025 (v. early notice)
Fri/Sat 10th & 11th July 2026 (v. early notice)

Events: Archive detailed brief

550 Squadron RAF

550 Squadron Formation

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Announcements

2022

Advance Notice

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