550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association

Latest Site Updates: Archived List

Below is the archived list of "Latest Site Updates".

It is possible that some links may be broken in the move to this archived list. Pages may display with poor formatting. If there is a link that is broken, and you do wish to see what it referred to, do email the web-site and it may be possible to retrieve the information.

2025

06/03/2025

A short time after Squadron formation the P/O Dripps crew was lost on operations to Berlin when DV343/BQ-X2 failed to return 23/24 Dec 1943. A new photo, provided by a relative of a member of the crew, has been received. See the crew page link for details.

01/03/2025

A remembrance service for ANZAC aircrew is to be held in Harrogate. Two RNZAF crewmen of 550 Squadron are remembered: F/O AC Lockyer pilot of the F/O A C Lockyer crew of NG132, and F/O RR Bradshaw of the F/O SH Hayter crew of NF963.
The ANZAC REMEMBRANCE CIO ceremony will take place on Sunday 27th April 2025 at 1pm at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate.
See link for details. Anyone able to attend on behalf of the Association will be most welcome.

24/02/2025

A commemorative service is to be held at the memorial in Rimswell, East Riding of Yorkshire for the F/O A C Lockyer crew of NG132.
This service will take place on Monday 17th March 2025 at 11am on Church Lane, Rimswell, the 80th anniversary of the loss of the aircraft and crew.

See link for more details. Anyone able to attend on behalf of the Association will be most welcome.

18/02/2025

The Times, 18 February 2025
Wing Commander Jack Harris obituary

05/02/2025

Please note. The funeral service was streamed on-line and is available on-demand until 4 March. For link and logon details see the (updated) link for more information.

In addition the service was reported on the 4th February BBC South East local news 6.30pm bulletin, and on the BBC Radio 4 6.00pm news (you should be able to both on BBC iPlayer).

31/01/2025

The funeral service for Jack Harris will take place on Tuesday 4th February 2025 at 14:30 at Kent and Sussex Crematorium, Tunbridge Wells. The funeral service will be streamed online. For link and logon details see the (updated) link for more information.

20/01/2025 & 24/01/2025

Courier

The Telegraph

The funeral service for Jack Harris will take place on Tuesday 4th February 2025 at 14:30 at Kent and Sussex Crematorium, Tunbridge Wells. For details see link for more information.

10/01/2025

It is with very great sadness that the Association has received the news of the passing of Jack Harris, President of the 550 Squadron And RAF North Killingholme Association.
W/Cmdr (retd.) Jack Harris OBE DFC was a veteran pilot of 37 operations with 550 Squadron and founder member of the 550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association.

Jack was 104 and celebrated that birthday in September last. Jack had a long innings of great service to his country and the squadron in war and in peace.
We think of Angela, Sue and Anne, and the whole family, and extend our deepest sympathies at this sad time.
Jack will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

2024

31/12/2024

To Association Members, family and friends

12/12/2024

Merry Christmas

To Association Members, family and friends

28/11/2024

Some recently received information concerning the W/O ATS Collier crew has been added to the crew web-page. In particular it appears that the crew did not transfer into 550 Sqdn from 100 Sqdn as was previously thought.

14/11/2024

Added to the web-site are some recently received photographs of the F/O H Dodds crew. In particular a not previously seen photo of the wireless operator F/Sgt C W Beckingham RAAF.

11/11/2024 & 14/11/2024

Photos from the 2024 Remembrance in North Killingholme are now online at: Remembrance 2024.

22/10/2024

Cpl MA Halmkan RAFVR was a flight mechanic/fitter in the RAF including a period as 550 Squadron ground-crew. Photographs of pages from his Service and Release book are now online (follow the link).

19/10/2024

Added to the web-site some recently received photographs of wreckage of the rear turret of LM455/BQ-T lost over Blamont, France. These aircraft fragments are now held in the Blamont Town Hall Archive and will be on public display for the 11th November Commemorations in the town.
See the F/O PM Roche RCAF crew web-page and the Blamont Memorial web-page for more information about the crew.

18/10/2024

Added to the web-site are some recently received photographs, with detailed annotations of the F/O DW Summons crew.

17/10/2024

Added to the web-site are some recently received photographs, information and the log books (plural!) of F/Lt FJ Mitchell pilot of the F/Lt FJ Mitchell crew who flew his second tour with 550 Sqdn. F/Lt Mitchell was operational from 1939/40 and flew his first tour wih 103 Squadron.

13/10/2024

October 2024 Newsletter: now in distribution (with Remembrance weekend details).
See Issue 89 (October 2024) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
If you are attending Remembrance Sunday this year in North Killingholme and are planning to lunch in the Ashbourne then please let Honor Redshaw know by Friday 1st November (contact details in the newsletter). Thank you.

22/09/2024

Happy 104th 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, has just celebrated his 104th birthday!
Follow the link for some photos.

19/09/2024

Newly received photograph of F/Sgt A H Jefferies CGM pilot of the F/Sgt Jefferies crew added to the web-site.

29/08/2024 & 31/08/2024

Some recently received information about F/Sgt J A Cromie RAAF (W/Op) of the W/O ATS Collier crew has been added to the web-site. The crew was sadly lost on ops to Berlin, LM301, 2/3 December 1943 with F/Sgt Cromie being the only survivor.

24/08/2024

Added to the web-site some recently received information about Sgt AJP Panther (F/Eng) of the F/Sgt CG Draper crew. The crew moved on from 550 Sqdn and sadly was lost on ops with 153 Sqdn on 14/10/44 (details from Sgt Panther's service record).

15/08/2024 & 22/08/2024

New photos related to F/Lt J Cassidy RAAF DFC and Bar are now available online. This includes a photo from training in Canada plus a copy of the 50th Anniversary Certificate awarded by the Australian Government to veterans in 1995.

18/07/2024

The Association was saddened to learn that John 'Jock' Elliott (wireless operator with the F/Lt Jim Lord crew) passed away in May 2024 just 5 days after his 101st birthday. See link for more information.

15/07/2024, 17/07/2024, 14/08/2024 & 18/09/2024

The 2024 reunion weekend page is updated with photos, documents and information from the weekend events: see Reunion 2024.

05/07/2024 Not Long Now

The Association Reunion 2024 in North Killingholme is just one week away.

04/07/2024

Families from Canada and England visit the memorial to F/O D F Neilson and crew of LM134 in Rhenen, The Netherlands. See photos from the event, in June this year, at Rhenen Memorial (June 2024). Or go to the main Rhenen Memorial page.

21/06/2024

Recently received photographs from the 2004 Westerlo/Schobroek commemoration for the P/O G W Hinde crew of DV309.

18/06/2024

New information concerning Sgt C A De Laveleye (MU/AG) of the P/O S W Nielson crew added to the crew web-page.

17/06/2024 Final Reminder

If you are attending the Association Reunion 2024 in North Killingholme please return your completed booking form by
Friday 21st June. Thank you.

16/06/2024

Added photographs and the log book of P/O J S Percival pilot of the P/O Percival crew to the web-site.

15/06/2024

If you have received an email with the Subject line "Secure Content by 550squadronassociation" requesting you to "Confirm receipt of the the Secure Mail" (note the incorrect English) DO NOT click the link or the button provided in the email to open the "secure message". This email is a scam and it has not originated from this site. You are best advised to delete the email immediately.

14/06/2024 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Reunion 2024 in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings by completing the form in the June newsletter and returning by
Friday 21st June. Thank you.

07/06/2024

FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Meta (Facebook) have announced changes in its privacy policy for users in Europe; Facebook and Instagram will use your posts (inc. personal data) to train AI models.
Emails were sent out by Meta at the end of May (for example, I received the policy change email on 31/05/24).
Should you not wish Meta to use your personal data in this manner you have to explicitly opt out, and you have until
26th June to do this. See the attached Which magazine item for details: Facebook and Instagram will use your posts to train AI models: how to opt out.

The following handy crib-sheet may prove useful:

06/06/2024

The 80th Anniversary of D-Day commemorated at North Killingholme. The crew of 550 aircraft BQ-J, Bad Penny II, F/O K Bowen-Bravery CdG DFC and crew, was recognised as opening the procedings on the 6th June, but of course many 550 aircraft and crews were involved in the days leading up to the 5/6th June attacking targets in support of the operations planned for the 6th June. See "The Crew who Started D-Day" below.

01/06/2024

June 2024 Newsletter: now in distribution (with Reunion weekend details).
See Issue 88 (June 2024) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
If you are planning on attending the Association Reunion 2024 in North Killingholme please return your completed booking form to the address in the newsletter by
Friday 21st June. Thank you.

17/05/2024

The commemorative event planned to be held in Rebecq, Belgium on 22nd May has been CANCELLED. See below.

06/05/2024

A flypast by the BBMF Lancaster flypast was requested for Saturday 13th July. We learned in late April that, unfortunately, our request for a flypast could not be accommodated in the BBMF schedule. A little disappointing but it cannot be helped.
For more information about the reunion weekend see below. Full details about the weekend will appear in the June newsletter.

08/04/2024

Details of the BBMF Display Season for 2024 are available at the following link: Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Displays in 2024.
And as summarised in the image below.

The Association has a request lodged for a flypast over St Denys' Church on Saturday 13th July.

05/04/2024, 07/04/2024 & 09/04/2024

The Association was greatly saddened to learn today (05/04) of the death of Wilfred Burie of Rebecq, Belgium. Wilfred was instrumental in raising the memorial commemorating the P/O Purney crew lost over Belgium on 27/28 May 1944 on the operation to Aachen, and the local civilians who suffered as a result of coming to the aid of the crew. See the Rebecq Memorial Project.

Representatives of the 550 Squadron Association have visited Rebecq many times over the years: see Rebecq Commemorations.

See link for more information.

27/03/2024

Commemoration for the F/O DF Neilson crew of 550 Lancaster LM134. Information has been received that on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June, two commemorations will be held to remember the fallen aircrew of Lancaster LM134.
For more information see below.

26/03/2024

Association member Paul Freemont will be running the RAFA London Landmarks half marathon on the 7th April 2024 as part of his fundraising efforts for the RAF Association. Paul is running in memory of his father, 550 Squadron flight engineer Sgt I S Freeman a member of the F/Lt Jack Harris crew. If you are interested in supporting Paul then the link to his JustGiving page is:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-freemont?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=paul-freemont&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp&utm_term=b199065afcf74b20822775423899a6be

16/03/2024

Recently received, several new photos and supporting information about the North Killingholme Station Motor Transport Section (MTS). A pair of photos of LACW Evelyn Marlow and a photo of the Motor Transport Section (February 1945) of which she was a member.

09/03/2024

Recently received, two new photos. Another photo of the F/Lt Stone crew on a Lancaster (LL811/BQ-J "Bad Penny II"), and one of a ground crew with the bomb-load (view from inside the bomb bay).

03/03/2024

March 2024 Newsletter: now in distribution (with Reunion weekend details).
See Issue 87 (March 2024) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

10/02/2024

Recently received, two more photos: one of a mystery (at the moment) crew on a Lancaster and one of ground crew loading/unloading the bomb load.

05/02/2024 & 08/02/2024

Recently received: mystery motorcyclist with side-car and ground-crew group photos.

02/02/2024 & 05/02/2024

Recently received: new F/Lt Stone crew and ground crew photo (beneath LL811/BQ-J "Bad Penny II") with identifications, and F/Lt Shaw crew photo (with the crew atop ED905/BQ-F "Press On Regardless").

07/01/2024

S/Ldr R S Alexander and Sgt W Bradley crew pages added. S/Ldr Alexander was for a brief period Flight Commander "A" Flight before being transferred out to 101 Sqdn as Commanding Officer. The Sgt Bradley crew was only with the squadron for a short time; before the crew was able to undertake an operation at 550 Squadron both air-gunners had been lost while flying with other crews; the two gunners are commemorated at the Fulstow Bridge Canal memorial described below (see 31/12/2023).

05/01/2024

The Rev. Trevor Riess, who has officiated at reunion and remembrance services over the last couple of years, has asked that his New Year greetings be passed on to the members of the Association.

04/01/2024

The latest information about events planned to take place in 2024 is available here.

01/01/2024

A Happy New Year to all Association members.

2023

31/12/2023

Photos from the ceremony on Christmas Eve 2023 at 12 noon (see 24/11/2023 and 19/12/2023 below) for the crews of 550 Squadron Lancasters ED730 and ND327 are now online.

This new memorial is added to the list of known memorials to 550 air-crews. See Fulstow Bridge Memorial.

19/12/2023

Photo of the memorial that is to be formally unveiled on Christmas Eve 2023 at 12 noon (see 24/11/2023 below).

See the Sgt H F J Woods and F/Sgt W R Cooper crew pages for the information and photos.

15/12/2023

The Association was greatly saddened to learn of the death of William Albertyn of Sint Niklaas, Belgium. William was instrumental in commemorating the P/O Dukelow crew lost over Belgium on 21/21 May 1944 on the operation to Duisburg.

Representatives of the 550 Squadron Association have visited Sint Niklaas many times over the years: see Sint Niklaas Commemorations.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday 23rd December 2023 at the church in Sint Niklaas. See link for more information.

07/12/2023

"From Reported Missing to Final Resting Place". The search for Sgt A H Brown (R/AG) of the P/O D McCrae crew after Lancaster LL810 was lost on 27/28th May 1944 on operations to Aachen. A copy of this document is in the 550 Squadron museum in North Killingholme, or it can be read on the P/O D McCrae crew web-page.

24/11/2023

Information has been received about a new memorial at Fulstow Bridge on the Louth Canal, Lincolnshire for the Sgt H F J Woods and F/Sgt W R Cooper crews (of ED730 and ND327 respectively) both lost on operations to Berlin 23/24 December 1943.

There will be an unveiling ceremony followed by a short service on Christmas Eve at 12 noon.
See link for location details and more information about the unveiling. Anyone wishing to attend will be most welcome.

14/11/2023

Photos from the 2023 Remembrance in North Killingholme are online at: Remembrance 2023.

07/11/2023 & 14/11/2023

The F/Lt E H Luder crew page has been updated with a number of new photos of the crew, and the log book of Sgt E G Bowman (F/Eng).

05/11/2023

The P/O J E H Davies crew page has been updated with a recently received photo of Sgt Alfred Douglas Baker (F/Eng) and the communal grave of the crew in Vignory Communal Cemetery, France.

04/11/2023

Item in The Express on 25 October 1998 about a return visit made by the crew survivors to the site of the crash of RA502. See F/O Lohrey crew page.

01/11/2023 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings for meals by Friday 3rd November.
Likewise, if you are planning to attend Remembrance events please confirm interest by 3rd November.
Thank you.

30/10/2023

The F/O H Dodds crew page has been updated with a recently received photo of Sgt Harold Lewis (R/AG).

05/10/2023

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme (as detailed in the October newsletter), please remember to confirm bookings for meals by Friday 3rd November.
Likewise, if you are planning to attend Remembrance events please confirm interest by 3rd November.
Thank you.

05/10/2023

October 2023 Newsletter: now in distribution (with Remembrance weekend details).
See Issue 86 (October 2023) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

22/09/2023

Happy 103rd birthday

12/08/2023

A recently received photo confirms the identification of individuals in the S/Ldr Sarll crew (because all are identified in an annotation on the rear of the photo).
See the S/Ldr Sarll crew page for the information and photos.

21/08/2023 & 30/10/2023

The website has recently received now photos and information about F/Sgt D S Gould (W/Op), F/Sgt J McVey (Nav) and W/O A Selman (Nav). The information and photos are spread across the various crews with whom the individuals flew ops while with 550 Sqdn. See the updates on the web-pages for the following crews:

21/07/2023

Recently received pages from the log book of Sgt C P Blackham, Flight Engineer with the F/Sgt D P Lambert crew, have been added to the web-site.

09/07/2023 & 12/07/2023

Sadly, in the event the BBMF Lancaster flypast did not take place at the Association Reunion 2023 because of a combination of bad weather (localised thunderstorms) and engine tests.
The 2023 reunion weekend page is updated with photos, documents and information: see Reunion 2023.

08/07/2023 Timing Update

Association Reunion 2023
BBMF Lancaster flypast time alteration.
The BBMF have informed that for weather reasons the flypast is now scheduled for
15:20 hours over St. Denys' Church.

02/07/2023 Not long now

The Reunion 2023 in North Killingholme, takes place in just a few days time:

Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July.

22/06/2023 Final Reminder

If you are attending the Association Reunion 2023 in North Killingholme please return your completed booking form by
Friday 23rd June. Thank you.

20/06/2023 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Reunion 2023 in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings by completing the form in the last newsletter and returning by
Friday 23rd June. Thank you.

11/06/2023

Added to the web-site recently received photographs of, and information about, Sgt A E "Ernie" Lukeman rear-gunner with the F/Lt A W Thomas crew.

07/06/2023

Photos from commemorative event in Sint Niklass in Belgium on 21st May are now available.

See Sint-Niklaas Commemoration 2023 for the full set of available photos.

07/06/2023

June 2023 Newsletter: now in distribution (with Reunion Weekend details and booking form).
See Issue 85 (June 2023) (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 also available online:
Reunion 2023 Booking Form (MS Word Format)
Reunion 2023 Booking Form (PDF Format)
It is important that booking forms are returned as soon as possible but no later than Friday 23rd June (to help with the arrangements).
See the updated information on the Lancaster flypast and other details in Events in 2023 below.

04/06/2023

Photos of the churchyard in Co. Cork, Ireland where Sgt D Lucey of the F/O A C Lockyer crew is buried. This crew was shot down while on a training flight on 17th March 1945 in NG132. Their loss is recorded as the last aircraft to have been shot down by an intruder over the British Isles in WWII. Six of the crew were killed and one, Sgt Drawbridge, survived the crash.
Earlier this year (see updates on 04/02/2023, 06/02/2023 and 13/02/2023 below) a new memorial for the crew was unveiled in Rimswell, East Riding of Yorkshire.

24/05/2023

Plans for the 2024 ceremony in Rebecq to remember the six 550 Squadron crews who crashed in Belgium are already underway. See link for details.

18/05/2023

Photos from commemorative event in Rebecq in Belgium on 17th May are now available.

See Rebecq Commemoration 2023 for the full set of available photos.

17/05/2023

Operation Chastise fly-past of the BBMF Lancaster over St Denys' Church, North Killingholme on 16th May at 19:32.

Many thanks to Matty Cruddas for permission to use the above photos on the web-site.

Click here to see the map and detailed fly-past timings.

05/05/2023, 06/05/2023, 10/05/2023 & 13/05/2023

Photos from the fly-past of the BBMF Lancaster over Rebecq in Belgium on 4th May, as noted on 26/02/2023 below, are now available.

See Rebecq Lancaster Flypast for the full set of available photos.

18/04/2023

A map of the Operation Chastise fly-past points being flown on 16th May is shown in the image below. The latest information is that the Lancaster will fly over St Denys' Church, North Killingholme at 19:32.

Click here to see the map and detailed fly-past timings.

13/04/2023

Recent updates about events planned to take place in Belgium 2023 are available here. This includes the latest information about a fly-past by the BBMF Lancaster on 4th May as noted on 26/02/2023 below.

29/03/2023

March 2023 Newsletter: now in distribution (with reunion weekend details).
See Issue 84 (March 2023) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

25/03/2023

Added to the web-site (16/02/2023 below) was a photograph about a 550 crew. Initially listed as an "unknown crew" the crew in the photo has now been identified as the F/Lt E S Allen crew.

11/03/2023 & 12/03/2023

NEWS FLASH!
BBMF are currently arranging a special flypast by the Lancaster Bomber to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Operation Chastise the Dambuster Raid which took place on the 16th May 1943. On the 16th May 2023 the Lancaster will fly over St Denys Church, North Killingholme some time between 7pm and 8.30pm.
As with all BBMF flypasts, this is subject to aircraft serviceability and weather conditions.
Watch this space for further updates as soon as they are known.

26/02/2023

The latest information about events planned to take place in Belgium 2023 is available here. This now includes a fly-past by the BBMF Lancaster on 4th May.

16/02/2023

Added to the web-site a recently received photograph about a 550 crew that is currently unknown/unidentified.

13/02/2023

Photos from the unveiling ceremony on Sunday 12th February 2023 at 1050 (see 04/02/2023 & 06/02/2023 below) now available online.

See the Lockyer crew page for the information and photos.

04/02/2023 & 06/02/2023

Information has been received about a new memorial in Rimswell, East Riding of Yorkshire for the F/O A C Lockyer crew of NG132.

There will be an unveiling ceremony on Sunday 12th February 2023 at 1050.
See link for location details and more information about the unveiling. Anyone able to attend on behalf of the Association will be most welcome.

14/01/2023

The latest information about events planned to take place in 2023 is available here.

02/01/2023

An update to 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) with the receipt of a new document. The crew page also contains an additional document relating to the loss of the aircraft and crew.

2022

10/12/2022

The Association was sad to learn of the death of Jean-Claude Pauly of Jalhay. Jean-Claude, along with André Deroanne, was instrumental in rising the memorial to the F/Sgt A H Jefferies crew. The memorial was inaugurated by Alison Rose, Ambassador of the United Kingdom, on 9th April 2016 in the presence of a crowd of over 100 visiters many representing air-services and various military and civilian authorities.

Despite the location of the memorial being deep in the forest (the bulk of the aircraft lies in the nearby lake) it has been visited numerous times over the years by representatives of the 550 Squadron Association.
See link for details.

09/12/2022

Added to the web-site some recently received photographs and information about F/O S W Collins (A/B) of the F/O A C Bothe crew who ops with 550 Sqdn from March 1945 onwards.

21/11/2022

The facility to list a single country (by using the recognised international country code) from the list of all the cemeteries where 550 aircrew are buried is now available. Examples are shown of lists for: Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK.
It is simply necessary to insert the appropriate country code in the URI (web-link), i.e. 'country=XYZ' (where 'XYZ' can be BE,DE,DK,FR,IRL,NL or UK , as all are locations of 550 aircrew graves) to generate a shortened list with the required details.
Additionally tables of summary numbers are shown at the end of the report (bottom of the web-page).

19/11/2022

Photos from the 2022 Remembrance in North Killingholme are online at: Remembrance 2022.

15/11/2022

The Association was sad to learn that Len Doward (pilot of the F/O L A Doward crew) passed away 7 November 2022. See link for more details.

09/11/2022

Please note that the web-site will be off-line from ca. noon Monday 14th to ca. noon Wednesday 16th due to internet connection disruption (unavoidable engineering works).

08/11/2022

A short time after Squadron formation the P/O Dripps crew was lost on operations to Berlin when DV343/BQ-X2 failed to return 23/24 Dec 1943. Until recently not much information was recorded in the archive about the loss of the crew and aircraft. That has now changed significantly; see the crew page link for details.

06/11/2022

Many 550 Sqdn veterans were in the RAAF. Recently available a number of photos from the RAAF Memorial at the Australian National Memorial, Canberra.

02/11/2022Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings for meals by Friday 4th November.
Likewise, if you are planning to attend Remembrance events please confirm interest by 4th November.
Thank you.

23/10/2022

Preliminary notice of 2023 Events.
This includes commemoration ceremonies in Belgium (in May), plus the Annual Reunion and Armistice Sunday.

18/10/2022

The Association was sad to learn that Vic Farmer (navigator with the F/Lt R Thomas crew) passed away in September. See link for more details.

14/10/2022

The facility to list, by country, all the cemeteries where 550 aircrew are buried is now available. List generated here.

08/10/2022

October 2022 Newsletter: now in distribution (Rememberance Sunday details).
See Issue 83 (October 2022) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

22/09/2022

Happy 102nd birthday

21/09/2022

Photos of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park taken on the weekend leading up to the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 19th September. This wonderful memorial was adorned in flowers and tributes to Queen Elizabeth.
A selection of photos are available here.
Per ardua ad astra

08/09/2022

HM Queen Elizabeth II unveiling the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London, 28th June 2012.

The Association would like to express our deepest sorrow at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. A life of grace, service and compassion. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this sad time.

Rest in peace ma'am.
God Save the King.

03/09/2022

Added to the web-site some recently received photographs and the log book of log book of W/O G Aylmore of the W/O J Groves crew who flew a number of ops over a brief period with 550 Sqdn before transferring on, with many other crews, to 150 Sqdn.

25/08/2022

Update to the museum web-page to include a document pin-pointing the location of the watch tower (PDF format document).

23/08/2022

Recently received, a letter from Stan Keirle (of the F/Sgt A J H Jefferies crew), to the parents of James Whitley, both involved with the loss of LM425 on ops to Nuremberg 20th March 1944. In the letter Keirle provides details about that final flight as well as his forced march, as a PoW, in the face of the advancing Russians.

31/07/2022

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.

17/02/2022

New photo of Sgt W A J Young (R/AG) added to the P/O G W Hinde crew page.
This new photo is of the only member of this crew, lost in DV309 over at Westerlo, Belgium, for whom there was previously no known photo. We are indebted to the family for making this photo available.

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.

2021

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. Edward'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 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.

16/05/2021

The Government is planning to end all COVID-19 restrictions by 21st June. Thus it is planned to go ahead with the reunion for the weekend of the 9th-11th July. See the updated information on the requested flypast on Events in 2021 below. Of course, this is subject to the COVID-19 situation prevaling at the time. Changes in plans will be notified here as soon as they become known.

28/04/2021

The digital archive at the IBCC has updated the number of recordings from 550 Squadron aircrew. See the IBCC Digital Archive List for links to individual recordings and documents.

30/03/2021

March 2021 Newsletter: now in distribution (Reunion Weekend details).
See Issue 78 (March 2021) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

21/03/2021

Paul Batenburg has adopted the grave of Leslie Wallace Harvey RCAF in Nederweert, Netherlands as part of a project to help the younger generation know and understand the history of World War II and indeed more recent conflicts in the world. To this end he has researched the loss of 550 Squadron Lancaster PA995 and the F/O C J Jones crew. His very detailed document about Leslie Harvey is available on the Jones crew web page.

16/03/2021

In view of the fact that the Government is planning to end all restrictions by 21st June, it is proposed to go ahead with the reunion for the weekend of the 9th-11th July. See the updated information on Events in 2021 below. Of course, this is subject to the COVID-19 situation prevaling at the time. Changes in plans will be notified here as soon as they become known.

07/03/2021

Updated photo of the W/O Lloyd crew now available online.

08/02/2021

Updated details on 2021 Events in Rebecq, Belgium.

17/01/2021

New photo of F/Sgt W G Rate (W/Op) added to the F/O J O Richard crew page.
The request is that if anyone can identify other faces in the picture then please email the web-site (contact details at the foot of the page).

15/01/2021

Initial information on Events in 2021 in North Killingholme. Subject to the COVID-19 situation prevaling at the time. Changes in plans will be notified here as soon as they are known.

2020

15/11/2020

News of another memorial stone to a 550 serviceman at the International Bomber Command Centre, Lincoln. Sgt M H Levy (Nav) of the F/Lt F J Mitchell crew.
See IBCC photos.

14/11/2020

New (in fact the first) photos of the P/O N D Holdsworth crew are now available and online.

11/11/2020

Photos from the 2020 Remembrance in North Killingholme are online at: Remembrance 2020 (keeping in mind that public activities are currently much curtailed).

05/11/2020

As noted below (02/11/20) the North Killingholme team are planning to put an Association wreath on the Squadron Memorial Stone next Wednesday at 11.00am. A number of poppy crosses are available: if a member would like a name to be put on a poppy cross and make it part of the proceedings all they have to do is let Mike Leeman (email: mike.leeman@btinternet.com) know before next Wednesday.
NB: This is not an invitation to attend, as to do so would be in non-compliance with the current lockdown restrictions.

02/11/2020

Updates regarding Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme. See: Remembrance Weekend details.

13/10/2020

October 2020 Newsletter: now in distribution (Remembrance Weekend details).
See Issue 77 (October 2020) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

21/09/2020

Happy 100th 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.

18/09/2020

The Responsibilties of a Prisoner of War. Instructions and guidance for all ranks in the event of capture by the Enemy.

23/08/2020 & 01/09/2020

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. That is subject to the COVID-19 situation prevaling at the time. Changes in plans will be notified here as soon as they are known.

25/07/2020

The Roll of Honour (extended) has been updated to contain revised links to the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) record for each (all) 550 Sqdn service-men lost on operations. The IBCC records are very detailed (including crash details, grave/memorial details even, were available, epitaphs).

21/07/2020

Pages from the log book of F/O L S Johnston RCAF now online here.

09/07/2020

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), Lincoln has been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 situation. But it is now scheduled to re-open on Tuesday 21st July. Visiting will be by pre-arranged (online) timed entry booking only.

07/07/2020

Now available, a number of new photos taken from 550 aircraft on operations.

05/07/2020

This weeks service from St. Denys' Church North Killingholme, when the 550 Squadron Reunion weekend was mentioned and the men lost on operations from North Killingholme remembered. See link to YouTube video (at ca. 18mins 30secs in):
https://youtu.be/YA8XJPg5UHY

04/07/2020

This was the planned Association Annual Reunion weekend. Sadly that had to be cancelled back in March due to the COVID-19 situation, and we miss the opportunity to meet old friends and remember the veterans of 550 Squadron.
We look forward to better times next year when we can all come together once more in the home of 550 Squadron.

30/06/2020

Many 550 Sqdn veterans were RAAF. In March 2020 a plaque was unveiled at the Australian War Memorial to the "Odd Bods Association, RAAF".

Thanks to Edward Fleming for sending in this information.

21/06/2020

New information on the P/O R R Matthews crew, and specifically concerning the loss of PD343 on an Operation Dodge flight on 29th September 1945 (crew of 6 plus 20 passengers killed).

15/06/2020

New photos on the F/O D F Neilson crew page, and specifically of F/O J M McKay. One of the photos may feature EE193.

11/06/2020

New photos on the F/O E S Allen crew and F/O K F Sidwell crew pages, including a photo of the crews outside their billet and a photo of BQ-M2 (Mike-Squared)/NG243.

18/05/2020

May 2020 Newsletter: distribution.
See Issue 76 (May 2020) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
Key items included in the Newsletter are details Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme in November (circumstances permitting), and write-ups on events last year (2019).

30/04/2020

New photo on the S/Ldr Redmond crew page (crew on "Jolly Roger") and updated informaton on the F/O Beale crew page.

17/04/2020

Pages from the log book of S/Ldr A P Gainsford, Flight Commander "C" Flight, now online here.

14/04/2020

New book published: The Harris Crew
"On January 8, 1945, the Harris Crew was assigned to 550 Squadron at North Killingholme, England [...] the author has created a riveting snapshot of the remarkable Harris Crew and their short but harrowing time with 550 Squadron."

30/03/2020

March 2020 Newsletter: distribution.
See Issue 75 (March 2020) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
Key items included in the Newsletter are details about the (cancelled) Reunion in July (due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)), Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme in November (circumstances permitting), and write-ups on events last year (2019).

14/03/2020

The Association is very sad to report that Maurice Snowball (Flight Engineer in the F/O K W Jeans crew) passed away on 12th March 2020. Maurice was a regular attender at the annual reunions in North Killingholme and a source of many stories and much information about squadron operations. A gentleman and a hero. He will be greatly missed.

04/03/2020

Some new/updated photos/information added for the F/O W E Town crew.

11/02/2020

Updates to the Association contacts details are available here.

10/02/2020

There was an interview with Jack Harris in The Sunday Times magazine of 9th February.

[NB: some of the details about the Association in the last few paragraphs give the impression that the Association is no longer active which is incorrect.]

04/02/2020

The latest information about events planned in Belgium this May is available here.

2019

28/12/2019

Pages from the log books of several crew-members of the F/O R D Harris crew now available here.

22/12/2019

Updated: photos of commemorative stone tablets for 550 air-crew at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), Lincoln.

10/12/2019

The digital archive at the IBCC has updated the number of recordings from 550 Squadron aircrew. See the IBCC Digital Archive List for links to individual recordings.

08/12/2019

Photos from the 2019 Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme are online at: Remembrance Weekend.

30/11/2019

The Association is sad to report that Marjorie Grey (ex 550-Squadron WAAF and member of the Squadron Association) died on Monday 25th November.

05/11/2019

The following information was posted on the 550 Facebook page:
"You might like to know that the grandad in the Asda Christmas advert is former 550 Squadron rear gunner James Craine. And the little boy with the blond curly hair is his Grandson. [...] made me think of the bomber crews getting a great view of the Aurora."
The ad is on YouTube (at 15secs in there is a picture of grandad). Also showing on UK TV.

27/10/2019 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings for the meals by
Friday 1st November. Thank you.

21/10/2019 & 26/10/2019

The Association is very sad to report that Edgar Pickles DFC and Bar (S/Ldr Pickles crew) has died. Edgar attended a number of reunions in North Killingholme and most recently was over in the UK again in April 2018 for the official opening of the IBCC in Lincoln.
The following eulogy was written and spoken by Annie Barr on 25/10/2019 and published on her blog: Eulogy for Edgar Pickles.

18/10/2019

For details about Armistice in North Killingholme see: Remembrance 2019.
NB: If you intend booking for the meals (either on the Saturday evening or Sunday lunch) it is important that you contact Honor Redshaw by Friday 1st November (contact details as per the link).

11/10/2019

October 2019 Newsletter: distribution.
See Issue 74 (October 2019) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

Key items included in the Newsletter are the details about the Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme in November, and the Association Reunion in 2020.

06/10/2019

On Saturday 21st September at Penistone Grammar School there was a Dedication Service to Commemorate RAF 100, and the 75 Anniversary of loss of the crew of ME840/BQ-V over The Netherlands (as noted earlier). See RAF Centenary Bench for details.

06/10/2019

There are plans to commisssion a stained glass window at Scampton Church to mark the 100 years relationship between RAF Scampton and Scampton Church (1918–2018) and thereby also create a lasting memory to all who served in squadrons at the base, both in peacetime, during the two world wars and the cold war. It is likely that some 550 personnel served at Scampton either before or after their time at 550 Squadron.
See http://scamptonchurch.org/raf-stained-glass-window/ for details. There is an associated crowd-funding campaign.

05/10/2019

October 2019 Newsletter: pre-distribution (Remembrance Weekend details).
See Issue 74 (October 2019) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

04/10/2019

A recent upgrade to the web-site internet connection should make page load/refresh quicker and picture load considerably faster. See the web-site technical page.

28/09/2019

For details about Armistice Day in North Killingholme see: Remembrance 2019.
NB: If you intend booking for the meals (either on the Saturday evening or Sunday lunch) it is important that you contact Honor Redshaw by Friday 1st November (contact details as per the link).

04/08/2019 & 27/08/2019

On the 4th August The Brookwood Last Post took place in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Woking (takes place 1st Sunday of every month).

The opportunity was taken to visit the graves of the two 550 aircrew who are buried in the Canadian plot in the cemetery.

24/07/2019

On Saturday 21st September at Penistone Grammar School there is a Dedication Service to Commemorate RAF100, and the 75 Anniversary of loss of the crew of ME840/BQ-V over The Netherlands. Members of the Association would be most welcome to attend.
See RAF Centenary Bench for details.

20/07/2019

Photos from commemorative events in France in 2019:

15/07/2019 & 20/07/2019

Photos from the super 2019 Reunion weekend are now online at: Reunions. See also videos on the Grimsby Telegraph web-site: Watch Lancaster roar over North Killingholme in tribute to veterans marking anniversary of 550 Squadron.

07/07/2019 Not long now

The Reunion 2019 in North Killingholme, takes place in just a few days time -
Fri. 12th - Sun. 14th July.

30/06/2019

The F/O Grundy crew went down in LM273 on the raid to Pforzheim, 23/24 Feb 1945. The son of a 550 pilot is going to the area in July to try to locate the crash-site. He will visit Durnbach War Cemetery. If there are any requests to remember a specific crew man or crew please email so that the information can be passed on. See here for details.

29/06/2019

New photo: Sgt Cecil Watson of the S/Ldr Redmond crew killed on operations with W/Cmdr Connolly and commemorated in Bussy La Cote, France. (See item below.)

28/06/2019

Notice of a memorial service in Bussy La Cote, France for the W/Cmdr Connolly crew of LL837 lost 75 years ago, on the raid toRevigny, 14 Jul 1944.

26/06/2019 Last Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Reunion 2019 in North Killingholme, please confirm bookings by completing the form in the last newsletter and returning by
Friday 28th June at the latest. Thank you.

20/06/2019
Flypast Time Change

Please note that the time of the Lancaster flypast at the Reunion 2019 in North Killingholme, has been moved from 12 noon to
13:40 hours. The flypast will be over St Denys' Church.

13/06/2019

550 Squadron veterans featured in the IBCC Digital Archive.

13/06/2019 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Reunion 2019 in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings by completing the form in the last newsletter and returning

by Friday 28th June. Thank you.

03/06/2019

June 2019 Newsletter: now distributed (via email and post).
See Issue 73 (June 2019).
Booking forms and the menu selections accompany the newsletter. Please return completed booking forms by Friday 28th June at the latest.
See Reunion 2019 for details of events in July in North Killingholme.

30/05/2019

June 2019 Newsletter: distribution (due).
See Issue 73 (June 2019) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
Key items included in the newsletter are the details about the Reunion Weekend in North Killingholme in July, updates about a number of Memorials to 550 aircrew, and some crew recollections.
See Reunion 2019 for details of events in July in North Killingholme.

28/05/2019

The railway bridge to North Killingholme is no more. This impacts travel into the village in July for the 2019 Reunion . See the reunion link for details and photos.

22/05/2019, 26/05/2019 & 24/06/2019

Photos from the commemorations in Belgium in May are now online:

28/04/2019

The digital archive at the IBCC has a number of recordings from 550 Squadron aircrew. If you know anyone who is willing to be interviewed please see the IBCC Digital Archive Request for details on how to contact the IBCC.

26/04/2019

Updated information about the Reunion 2019 in July in North Killingholme, including an important note about car travel in and around North Killingholme (May-Sept).

26/04/2019

We are sad to report that Roy "Ginger" Harris (Nav in the F/Lt DA "Jock" Shaw crew) died in March 2019.

21/04/2019

Photos at International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) of commemorative stone tablets to 550 air-crew.

28/03/2019

March 2019 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 72 (March 2019) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

Key items included in the Newsletter are the details about the Reunion Weekend in North Killingholme in July, and reports on the events that took place in 2018. See Reunion 2019 for details of events in July in North Killingholme.

27/03/2019

Pages from the log book of F/Sgt E Ashley a wireless operator who flew with several crews now available here.

24/03/2019

Updated details about the commemorative events in Belgium this year are available, in particular Rebecq and Sint-Niklaas (new memorial unveiling).

09/03/2019

We are sad to report that Alan Carter (W/Op in the F/Lt Scholfield crew) passed away in March 2019.

24/02/2019

Information (contact details) sought on relatives of the crew of LL837 lost on the raid on Revigny, 14 Jul 1944 with the Squadron Commanding Officer W/Cmdr P E C C Connolly piloting. Plans are being made for a memorial in France.
See: LL837, Roll of Honour details.

23/02/2019

The latest information about events planned in Belgium this May is available here.

08/02/2019

We are sad to report that Ward Thomas (Nav in the F/O Bowen-Bravery crew) passed away on 4th February 2019. This crew were acknowledged as having opened the D-Day assault and were collectively awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government. See obituary in The Times (7th February 2019).

08/02/2019

We are sad to report that James Craine (Sgt Craine R/AG in the F/O Lukies crew) passed away on 1st February 2019.

01/02/2019

Some new photos added for the F/O A Abrams crew.

29/01/2019 & 01/02/2019

Some new photos added for the W/O T A Lloyd crew (specifically information about Sgt Pearce who evaded capture after baling out).

29/01/2019

Update to the page for the
F/O L Wareham crew (now including the memoir of the navigator F/O Sibtree detailing his training and all 30 operations).

27/01/2019

Some new photos added on pages for the following crews:
F/O E V Sage, F/O Marker and F/Lt H G Johnston.

10/01/2019 & 14/01/2019

We are sad to report that Charles Philip Blackham (F/Eng in the F/Sgt Lambert crew) passed away passed away on 7th January. Philip was a regular attender at the annual reunions in North Killingholme and a source of many stories and much information about the squadron. He will be greatly missed.

Details of the funeral arrangements are available here should any friend or member of the 550 Association wish to attend.

07/01/2019

We are sad to report that John Eppel (Nav in the F/O J Harris crew) passed away on 15th December 2018. John provided much useful information about squadron operations that has been used to bolster the details available on the web-site.

06/01/2019

New photo of Wireless Operators training group (all RAAF), some of whom ended up in 550 Sqdn.

2018

31/12/2018

New photos of Sgt Sykes (F/Eng) (and PoW) of the W/O Peasgood crew.

22/11/2018

Update to Association Merchandise, to include new Poppy Badge with 550 Squadron crest.

12/11/2018

Photos from the 2018 Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme are online at: Remembrance Weekend.

12/11/2018

Photos from the November commemorations in Sint Niklaas.

12/11/2018

Photos from the November commemorations in Rebecq.

30/10/2018 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings for the meals by
Friday 2nd November. Thank you.

24/10/2018

Update about the Sgt Habgood (F/O H Jones crew of NE164) bracelet discovered earlier this year.

"Do you remember the fortuitous discovery of Sergeant Habgood's bracelet this summer in the [Struthof] camp ash-pit? We had the pleasure of welcoming the niece and nephew of the English aviator executed at Struthof following the crash of his plane ...
For the full report see DNA [in French]: https://www.dna.fr/edition-de-molsheim-schirmeck/2018/10/23/dernier-temoignage-terrestre".

12/10/2018

A couple of additional photos from the 2018 Reunion online at: Reunion 2018 (Belgian sapling, St Denys' Church).

10/10/2018

For details about Armistice in North Killingholme see: Remembrance 2018.
NB: If you intend booking for the meals (either on the Saturday evening or Sunday lunch) it is important that you contact Don and Val Kentish by Friday 2nd November (contact details as per the link).

09/10/2018

In early 2018 a memorial plaque was unveiled for the F/Lt R W Picton crew in Achiet Le Petit (France). Some photos of the event are available.

08/10/2018

October 2018 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 71 (October 2018) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

Key items included in the Newsletter are the details about the Remembrance Sunday in North Killingholme in November, and the Association Reunion in 2019.

17/09/2018

Photos of the BBMF Lancaster (1995).

16/09/2018

Photos from the 2018 Reunion are online at: Reunions.

10/09/2018

New photos of the F/O A D Young crew.

10/09/2018

Initial photos (more to follow) from the 2018 Reunion are online at: Reunions.

09/09/2018

Super reunion weekend. A comprehensive set of photos and information will follow. In the meantime see video of the Remembrance Service at the Memorial Stone on the Grimsby Telegraph web-site: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/second-world-war-veterans-return-1984992.

20/08/2018

BBMF Lancaster flypast (Saturday 8th September): time revised to 13:45.

For full details about the reunion weekend see 2018 Reunion.

09/08/2018 Reminder

If you are planning to attend the 550 Association Reunion in September in North Killingholme this year, please remember to return your booking form (below, under 20/07/2018) by:

24th August

Details of where to return the form, etc are included on the form. Thank you.

For information about the reunion weekend see 2018 Reunion.

28/07/2018

Photos from an Association visit to Ottrott (in Alsace) in April, where F/O H Jones and crew of NE164 crashed. See: Ottrott 4th April 2018.

20/07/2018

July 2018 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 70 (July 2018) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).

Key items included in the Newsletter are the details about the Association Reunion in September. There is a Booking Form (PDF format) (also Word format) that is requested is returned by 24th August.

For latest information see 2018 Reunion.

19/07/2018

Operation MANNA

Picture from the IBCC July 2018 Newsletter.
Maurice Snowball, 550 Sqdn (seated front left).

19/07/2018

The web-page for the F/O H J Handley crew is updated with additional information on F/Sgt L J Tough the Flight Engineer with the crew.

18/07/2018 & 12/08/2018

Pages from the log book of Sgt M H A Campbell rear-gunner with the F/Sgt H C White crew now available here.
Later update: photos of the crew added.

17/07/2018

Now available the wartime experiences of F/Lt Rhys Thomas. See the F/Lt R Thomas crew web-page.

10/07/2018

RAF100 flypast, 10 July

08/07/2018

RAF100 parade and flypast, 10 JULY CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Watch live coverage on BBC One from 9:30am to 1:20pm or stream on BBC iPlayer to watch the events as they unfold live. Alternatively listen to BBC Radio 2 for further coverage.

See BBC link The Centenary of the Royal Air Force

24/06/2018

Photos from the 2005 inauguration of the Memorial to the F/O Nye crew in Westerbeek, The Netherlands, available online now. See Westerbeek Memorial.

10/06/2018, 26/06/2018

Photos from the recent memorial unveiling in The Netherlands to S/Ldr G S Smith crew, the crew of ME840. Six of the crew were killed, one evaded capture and was able to get back to the UK with the help of the Dutch Resistance. See: Memorial Plaque, June 2018.

09/06/2018

Queens Birthday flypast

Photo taken near Harrow (under flight path after leaving Buckingham Palace).

03/06/2018, 10/06/2018, 24/06/2018

Photos from the recent commemorations in Belgium available online now.
Berinzenne, Jalhay, Rebecq,
Sint Niklaas, Westerlo.

02/05/2018

Pages from the log book of F/O Caswell air-bomber with the F/Lt N L Rose DFC crew now available here.

22/04/2018

On Sunday 22nd April Edgar Pickles and Peter Spindler met up again for the first time in 72 years after they completed their tour with 55 Sqdn.

Document	Description
	2017 Reunion Booking Form Emailed newsletters have the form attached as a separate PDF document. The form can be posted or emailed to the Association. In addition there is a separate form at the end of the document for ordering copies of the squadron history entitled "Five Fifty". To use the PDF: open the document and save/download a copy to your desktop. Then open the desktop copy in order to fill in the details. If you try to fill in the information fields while it is still just a link to the document on the web-site it may not work. Please return reunion booking forms (inc. menu selections) by 25th August.

Document	Description
	Brookwood CWGC Exhibition One Hundred Years of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Free exhibition, 20 May to 19 November 2017 The Canada Building, Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey. GU24 0JB

Document	Description
	Squadron History - Pre-Purchase Form We would appreciate members registering their interest in purchasing copies of the book, and this short "Pre-Purchase Form" is included with the newsletter. Emailed newsletters have the pre-purchase form attached as a separate PDF document. The form can be posted or emailed to the Association. To use this PDF: open the document and save/download a copy to your desktop. Then open the desktop copy in order to fill in the details. If you try to fill in the information fields while it is still just a link to the document on the web-site it may not work.

Document	Description
	Christmas Dinner Menu North Killingholme, 1944 Signed by the Sidwell crew. From paper original 550 Sqdn Museum
	Christmas Dinner Menu "Combat Officers" Mess, 1944 USAAF Base, Wendling where 21 crews from 550 were diverted (due to fog) on return from a raid on Cologne, 24 Dec 1994, and where they were snowed in until 27/28 December. The unlucky 22nd crew were diverted to Ludford Magna and it is not recorded what they had for Christmas Dinner! From paper original 550 Sqdn Museum

Document	Description
	Timetable of Events (final) Detailed timetable of the Saturday events

See also: Sheffield Star: 16/06/2014

Sheffield Star: 16/06/2014

11/06/2014 Reminder

2014 Reunion The reunion weekend is now just a few weeks away. If you have not already done so you REALLY should finalise your accommodation arrangements soon!
Also the closing date for the booking forms is 19th June 2014. Only a few days thereafter the menu selections need to be returned to the Ashbourne Hotel and at the same time the hotel will release any unbooked rooms. So if you are intending to attend but have not yet booked accommodation or returned the booking form then please do so. Many thanks.

06/06/2014

July Reunion: confirmation of Lancaster flypast time. See: July 2014 Reunion for details.

06/06/2014

D-Day 70th anniversary: in the air - a Lancaster Bomber navigator's tale. The story of the Bowen-Bravery crew in BQ-J from the Navigator's perspective

05/06/2014

May Newsletter: in distribution (since last week of May) - see Association Newsletters.

04/06/2014 & 15/06/2014

Photos from commemorations in Belgium in May/June on the 70th anniversary of 550 Squadron losses there, including:

P/O McCrae crew: LL810 (visit to) Wevelgem Communal Cemetery Tues 27 May
(Rebecq memorial web-page)

P/O Purney crew: JA712 Rebecq Wed 28 May
Rebecq Commemorations 2014
Rebecq (Rebecq memorial web-page)

P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 Sint Niklaas Sat 31 May
Sint Niklaas (Rebecq memorial web-page)

F/Sgt Hinde crew: DV309 Westerlo Sun 1 June
Westerlo Commemorations 2014
Westerlo (Rebecq memorial web-page)

F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 Jalhay Memorial Mon 2 June
Jalhay (Rebecq memorial web-page)

F/O Milburn crew: ME581 Berinzenne Memorial Mon 2 June (also exhibition in Domaine de Berinzenne - Musee)
Berinzenne (Rebecq memorial web-page)

Jefferies and Milburn crews: (visit to) Heverlee War Cemetery Mon 2 June

06/06/2014

"No 1 Group Bomber Command: An Operational Record" The operational record of all the No. 1 Group Bomber Command Squadrons

(published June 2014)

04/06/2014

Grimsby Telegraph 4 June 2014: D-Day 70th anniversary: How North East Lincolnshire played a key role in Operation Overlord. The story of the Bowen-Bravery crew in BQ-J from 550 Sqdn

24/05/2014

July Reunion Booking Forms (including menu selections) now available in electronic format.

Those planning on attending the reunion in North Killingholme, and staying over, are strongly encouraged to finalise accommodation bookings as the hotel is filling up! Again see: July 2014 Reunion for details.

20/05/2014

Jack Harris gave a talk ("Flying with Bomber Command in World War II") on 28 November 2013 and 9 April 2014 at the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury. These talks were such a resounding success that the waiting list for a third talk, planned for September, is already in excess of 60 persons.
In the meantime you can see some photos and video footage from the earlier talks here.

05/05/2014

Photos from commemorations in April:

03/05/2014

Special Edition of Fly-Past Magazine marking the 70th Anniversary of D-Day

Fly-Past Magazine June edition (published 1st May)

Feature item: "Opening Salvo"
Patrick Otter describes a raid made by 550 Squadron Avro Lancaster ‘J-Jig’ just before midnight on June 5, 1944.
See Flypast June edition

01/05/2014

Lancaster Bomber flypast help celebrate 70th anniversary of 550 Squadron (ignoring the minor inaccuracy about being the 70th anniversary of the squadron formation).

27/04/2014

April Newsletter: now in distribution - see Association Newsletters.

The newsletter includes the latest information on the events planned in Belgium in 2014 (Rebecq and Westerlo) and North Killingholme in July (Reunion) and November (Remembrance).

Those planning on attending the July 2014 Reunion in North Killingholme are encouraged to make accommodation bookings as the hotel is starting to fill up!

31/03/2014

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos online

30/03/2014, 04/02/2014
13/01/2014, 21/12/2013

Update: The latest information is that because there were so many expressions of interest for the 2nd talk (9 April) the Hospice would very much like a 3rd talk/presentation! Indeed because of the size of the waiting list a bigger venue is envisaged (current aim is probably September).

Back due to popular demand: The talk by Jack Harris on 28 November 2013 at the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury was a resounding success. To the extent that an "encore" is now scheduled for Wednesday 9 April 2014. See Flying with Bomber Command in World War II. Contact the Hospice in the Weald (details on their web-site).

April 2014: Booked Out (as of 30/02/14)

23/03/2014

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos online

14/03/2014

See: http://www.berinzenne.be/FR/musee.htm
Exposition « Ne les oublions jamais » - 70 ans après le crash en fagne de Malchamps.

07/03/2014

BBMF Lancaster flypast confirmed for July 2014 Reunion

02/03/2014

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos online

25/02/2014

Mailly-le-Camp Memorial Commemoration 2014
70th Anniversary Commemoration Parade is scheduled to take place on Friday 2nd May 2014

24/02/2014

RAF BBMF To Host Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster During Visit To England

The last two Lancaster bombers still flying in the world will come together in a series of events this summer, in a meeting unlikely to happen ever again.
For more information see: http://www.warplane.com/lancaster-2014-uk-tour.aspx

16/02/2014

Latest information on commemorations in April, May and June:

12/02/2014

Further 550 Sqdn log books and crew photos online

06/02/2014

A new short film telling the story of a Lancaster crew on their final mission across occupied Europe. East Lindsey District Council commissioned local Director Philip Stevens to make a period drama set in Lincolnshire during World War II.

Synopsis

Filming took place on 'Just Jane' at East Kirby: Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.

05/02/2014

The P/O Bouchard crew, which transferred in from 100 Sqdn on 550 Sqdn formation, was the first to complete a full tour with 550 Sqdn. P/O Vernon John Bouchard died in a training accident in Dec 1944 (some months after he had left 550 Sqdn). The government of Saskatchewan began naming lakes after their WWII fallen in the 1950's.
You can find Bouchard Lake (Division No. 18, Unorganized, SK S0J Canada) on Google maps here.

16/01/2014

Lincolnshire Echo 16 January 2014: The boys from Belgium. Brave Belgian aircrew flying from Lincolnshire and courageous Belgian villagers offering protection and succour to downed (550 Sqdn) aircrew.

13/01/2014

July 2014 Reunion weekend: Planning on attending the Reunion weekend in July in North Killingholme? The Ashbourne Hotel is already taking room bookings. See latest information.

10/01/2014

Grimsby Telegraph 10 January 2014: Plans revealed for £3m Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Park

2013

18/12/2013

Bomber County aircraft accidents and crashes to be collated

13/12/2013

April 2014
In Artolsheim: the inauguration of a memorial to F/Lt J S G Crawford and crew of LM392
In Sondernach (not far from Artolsheim): the inauguration of a panel in memory of F/Lt J F Craig DFC and crew of LL852
Follow the April 2014 link above for more information

12/11/2013

Online: Photos from Remembrance Weekend 2013 in North Killingholme

06/11/2013

You may well have already seen this video, but if not then rare colour footage of Lancaster on Bombing Raid in 1944 (not 550 Sqdn). Shows a crew from pre-raid briefing to de-briefing after raid (ca. 20 mins)
Also Night Bombers (ca. 59 mins)

30/10/2013

Remembrance Weekend 2013 in North Killingholme: Arrangements with the two hotels will be finalised this weekend. If you are intending to be there and have not confirmed your details yet, then please do so as soon as possible.

Please contact Don Kentish at latest by Saturday 2nd November if you are attending the Saturday evening meal or the Sunday lunch as the hotel needs to have accurate numbers.

Any unbooked rooms at the Ashbourne Hotel for the night of Saturday 9th Nov 2013 will be released this weekend (2nd Nov).

18/10/2013

On 28 Nov 2013 12:00 - 13:30, Hospice in the Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury, TN2 4TA: Flying with Bomber Command in World War II. Wing Commander Jack Harris' account of his experiences as a pilot in 550 Squadron.

Sold Out (as of 22/10/2013)

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

14/10/2013

October Newsletter: now in distribution - see Association Newsletters. The newsletter includes a request for the payment of overdue association membership subscriptions for this year. Plus a big thank-you to these members who generously pay "over the odds" - these donations are very much appreciated.

14/10/2013

The October Newsletter includes information about Remembrance Weekend in November and preliminary information about events in 2014. Especially the detailed arrangements for Remembrance Weekend 2013 in North Killingholme

Please contact Don Kentish at latest by Saturday 2nd November if you are attending the Saturday evening meal or the Sunday lunch as the hotel needs to have accurate numbers.

12/10/2013

550 Sqdn Lancasters Taxiing, Aug/Sept 1945

03/10/2013

On 28 Sept 2013 members of the Rebecq Memorial Association attended the RAFA Anglo-Belgian Remembrance Service in Brussels and laid a wreath on behalf of 550 Association.

02/10/2013

Daily Telegraph: 2 Oct 2013: Air Force Obituaries: S/Ldr Kenyon Bowen-Bravery

19/09/2013

Station Narratives - a collection (ca. 20) of reports, de-briefs and interrogation reports (e.g. of returning PoWs).

15/09/2013

Advance notice of events in 2014.

15/09/2013

Archive on 4:
"Stephen Evans on Wynford Vaughan-Thomas's 1943 dispatch during a bombing raid on Berlin" http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b039lmkg.

15/09/2013

Updates to F/O Adams and F/O Kenyon Bowen-Bravery (pilot of Bad Penny II on Operation Overlord) pages.

15/09/2013

Updated information about the Application for the Issue of the Bomber Command Clasps (for Australian/RAAF servicemen) is available here here with the form also shown below:

Application Form for the Issue of Medals and/or Clasps (Australia), Form AD807

14/09/2013

RAFA Anglo-Belgian Remembrance Service Brussels 28 Sept 2013

	RAFA Commemoration in the National Basilica, Brussels: Information sheet
	Form to be returned by 9 Sept (should you wish to attend)

18/08/2013

New report listing cemeteries, in alphabetic order, where 550 Squadron Servicemen are buried or commemorated (plus links to details of each serviceman remembered at each site)

12/08/2013

Additional Reunion 2013 photos online and postscript

01/08/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

17/07/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

10/07/2013

Initial Reunion 2013 online

17/07/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

10/07/2013

Initial Reunion 2013 online

10/07/2013

The Belgian Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association is pleased to announce that a commemorative event will be held in the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart Koekelberg in Brussels on Saturday 28th September 2013. See:
RAFA, Belgium Branch - Commemoration in the National Basilica, Brussels (PDF format)
Please email in your interest if you wish to attend.
Check for updates on the Belgian Branch website:
http://rafabelgianbranch.yolasite.com (Future Event - Air Force Chapel Commemoration).

09/07/2013

Grimsby Telegraph, 9 July 2013:
Crowds gather to mark 70th year since 550 Squadron formed

20/06/2013

Operation Dodge aircrash 6th Oct 1945: Pomigliano

20/06/2013

"This ops racket isn't so hot; I rather think there's no future in it personally." Jimmy Trayhorn (A/G) (KIA)

20/06/2013

Grimsby Telegraph: 18/06/2013

17/06/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

01/06/2013

July 2013 Reunion weekend: latest information

May Newsletter: now in distribution - see Association Newsletters.
Includes information about all the things going on in July. Also the menu selections for the formal dinner on the Saturday evening. Please complete and post/email in preferably before 20th June.

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

15/05/2013

Rebecq - In advance of the Memorial on 29th May: Rebecq Memorial item on Belgium TV

12/05/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

12/05/2013

550 Squadron Air-crew Log Books update.

19/05/2013 11/05/2013 & 17/02/2013

New Book: Press Release

May Press Release (PDF)

Official launch Spring Duxford Airshow
Sunday 26th May
There will be a number of veterans, together with the author, signing copies of the book.

550 Sqdn lost the F/O Abrams (NG133) and F/O Dodds (PD319) crews on Bomber Command Operation Hurricane to Duisburg, 14/15 Oct 1944.

See: http://www.fightinghigh.com/events.htm

Are you a Bomber Command Veteran and would like too attend the book signing? Click on the picture above for more information.

02/05/2013

The names and summary details of more than 1710 air-crew who flew with 550 Squadron are now online.

30/04/2013

July 2013 Reunion weekend: travel information update
Why not reserve a copy of "1 Group: Swift to Attack for the author to sign at the reunion? Contact Don Kentish, or email the web-site (see Contact link in page footer), for details.

19/04/2013

July 2013 Reunion weekend: latest information

April Newsletter: now in distribution - see Association Newsletter.
Includes information about all the things going on for this special year, and an order form (see also above) for a 70th Anniversary ceramic tankard; complete and post/email in).

18/04/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

06/04/2013

Flypast Magazine (May 2013): marking the 70th Anniversary of the Dambusters raid, features a poster of EE139 - the "Phantom of the Ruhr" at Derwent Reservoir

01/04/2013

The rescuer and the parachute

This lady helped Roy Kay (F/Eng) evade capture and return to England ... 69 years later her great-grandchild finds a re-use for his parachute

01/04/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

20/03/2013

BBMF Lanc Flypast confirmed for July 2013 Reunion

09/03/2013

New Book Release

Available the publishers Pen & Sword Books

Patrick Otter will be signing copies of "Swift to Attack" at the 550 Association Reunion in North Killingholme in July

02/03/2013

Bomber Command Clasp

Forms and information

06/02/2013

New Book Release

Available the publishers Pen & Sword Books

03/02/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

27/01/2013

Further 550 Sqdn group (band and football team) and crew photos

09/01/2013

When 'Get Out of Jail Free' really was 'Get Out of Jail Free'!

08/01/2013

Updates on 550 Squadron: FTR crews

06/01/2013

Further 550 Sqdn crew photos

2012

15/12/2012

Updates on two 550 Squadron: FTR crews

12/12/2012

Flypast Magazine (January 2013): features an item: "Brothers in Arms": Avro Lancaster W/Op Jock Elliott shares dramatic memories - Jock was the W/Op in the Jim Lord crew

08/12/2012

Can you help identify Ground Staff plus further 550 Sqdn crew photos

03/12/2012

Updated: updated 550 Sqdn aircraft photos with "Queenie" bogged down (and annotation)

25/11/2012

Updated: further 550 Sqdn crew photos

22/11/2012

BBC: Bomber Boys Time Capsule: see second photo - ignore the typo in the caption, that is a 550 Squadron photo (already on this web-site)

22/11/2012

Remembrance weekend: Added: a summary of the weekend events and a Dundee Courier article about the PD319 presentation.

21/11/2012

The Telegraph: Every RAF Bomber Command base in England mapped

12/11/2012

Remembrance weekend: first 2012 photo online
Sam Lipfriend receives a fragment of PD319 from Norval Black, son of F/O Henry Black (B/A).

13/11/2012

Updated: further 550 Sqdn crew photos

04/11/2012

550 Sqdn lost the F/O Abrams (NG133) and F/O Dodds (PD319) (see also wreckage at Remembrance weekend, above) crews on Bomber Command Operation Hurricane to Duisburg, 14/15 Oct 1944. Look out for the story of FTR crews on this raid in the soon to be published:

Available for pre-order on Waterstones or via the publishers, Fighting High.

03/11/2012

Updated: added more 550 Sqdn group and crew photos

31/10/2012

Updated: Remembrance weekend 2012
Thank you to those who have already made their bookings for the Remembrance weekend events.
If you are planning on attending but have not yet booked accommodation or given notice of attendance at the evening meal then please make any necessary bookings by Saturday 3 November. Thanks!

29/10/2012

Added more 550 Sqdn crew photos

19/10/2012

Available now: Newsletter 53 - October 2012 issue with details of Remembrance Sunday 2012 in NK. Also included are initial notes concerning the 2013 Annual Reunion weekend.

13/10/2012

W/O H Davies and crew: new photos and information.

07/10/2012

F/O G S Devereau and crew: new photos and information.

20/09/2012

PA995: F/O C J Jones and crew - lost on a raid to Dessau - new photos and additional information.

19/09/2012

Updated Details: Remembrance weekend 2012

17/09/2012

Change of Face for the BBMF Lanc: The RAF BBMF Lancaster, PA474, no longer flies as 550 Sqdn BQ-B, but as 617 Sqdn Lancaster DV385 - "Thumper Mk III". In early September she underwent a re-paint to take on a new identity.

16/09/2012

Updated: added more 550 Sqdn group and crew photos

30/08/2012

NG363: F/O C J Clarke and crew - lost over Munich, probably to a night-fighter.

29/08/2012

LM379: F/Lt P J M Prangley and crew: the first 550 Sqdn loss - probably fell victim to flak.

LM647: P/ O J E H Davies crew: new photos of some of the crew now available.

29/08/2012, 15/05/2102, 24/04/2012 & 06/04/2012

What do you do with a used parachute? Additional photos and information. See:
Roy Kay - evader (only survivor of the crew of ME840) for story of his escape.
Log book and aircraft fragment recovered from crash site.

19/08/2012

Reunion weekend: further 2012 photos now online

16/08/2012

Daily Mail online: pictorial tribute. Modern day mission Lancaster bomber crew prepares for action 70 years on airfield pictures

16/08/2012

Advance notice: Reunion weekend 2013

14/08/2012

Reminder: Remembrance weekend 2012

02/07/2012

YouTube Video of S/Ldr Edgar Pickles shaking hands with The Queen at the Bomber Command Memorial Unveiling on 28th June (approx 39mins in)

Bomber Command ITV 1: Tues 2nd July 9PM - 10PM

Squadron remembers its 353 fallen heroes (Grimsby Telegraph)

28/06/2012

Poppies dropped as act of remembrance BBC News (video)

Rare colour archive of WWII RAF bombers BBC News (video)

A Tribute to Bomber Command on BBC Two

A Tribute to Bomber Command Upcoming Broadcasts: Schedule

Queen to unveil Bomber Command Memorial BBC News

27/06/2012

Bomber Command fliers in their own words BBC News

17/06/2012

New requests for information. See below.

04/06/2012

The latest research on the F/O Grundy crew who went down in LM273 on 23/24 Feb 1945 on the raid to Pforzheim.

24/05/2012 & 26/05/2012

Photographs from the Commemorations for the crew of DV309 in Westerlo in May this year.

Photographs from the visit by representatives from the 550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association to Rebecq on 17th May 2012.

24/05/2012

Eight former WWII airfields in North Lincolnshire are remembered North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage. A small booklet is also available.

11/05/2012

Photographs from the commemorations in
Rebecq on 9th May 2012.

07/05/2012

Grimsby Telegraph publishes the BBMF flypast scheduled for the Reunion in North Killingholme this year:
Flypast tribute in memory of crews

06/05/2012

ME428: evader and POW interrogation / de-briefing reports from the Canadian archives.

ME301: information about the location of the crashed aircraft.

ME503: lost to a night-fighter during a camera run over target: investigation reports from the Australian archives.

29/04/2012

Updated information about the 2012 Reunion now online.

Available now: Newsletter 52 - April 2012 "Reunion" issue with details of the June reunions in NK.

Westerlo 2012: Updated information on the commemoration events this year in Westerlo

15/04/2012

Armed Forces Day 2012

08/04/2012

Now online: Photos of F/O Hern-Black and crew

19/02/2012

Available now: Newsletter 51 - February 2012. Special issue with details of the Bomber Command Association Memorial unveiling in Green Park, London, on 28 June 2012.

Available now: details about the unveiling of the Bomber Command Association Memorial in Green Park, London, on 28 June 2012.

Westerlo 2012: Information on the commemoration events this year in Westerlo

12/02/2012

Photo and log books from F/O Kennedy now online.

29/01/2012

A 1hr 30mins programme on Bomber Command is to be shown on BBC1 on Sunday 5th February at 9PM. See Bomber Boys for details.

15/01/2012

Updated information about the following crews now online:
F/O Allen
F/Lt Browne (log books added 08/02/12)
P/O Kenyon.

12/01/2012

Initial information about the 2012 Reunion.

2011

28/12/2011

The names and details of more than 1500 air-crew who flew with 550 Squadron are now online.

27/11/2011

ME428 - the 121st, and last, aircraft downed by Luftwaffe night fighter pilot Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer (highest scoring night fighter pilot in the history of aerial warfare)?

17/11/2011

Photos from Remembrance Sunday 2011.

13/11/2011

Additional options to some of the squadron information reports.
i) Servicemen report: search by job abbreviation
ii) Aircraft reports: search for FTR aircraft only
Follow the links for details.

13/11/2011

Commemoration at the Rebecq Memorial, 9th November 2011. Wreaths laid on behalf of British and Canadian delegations and 550 Association.

09/11/2011

Photos of P/O Ron Digby and crew ... and Ethel

07/11/2011

A salute to Bomber Command is to be shown on Channel 5 on Thursday 10 November at 8PM. See Bomber Boys: Revealed for details.

30/10/2011

The names and details of more than 1300 air-crew who flew with 550 Squadron are now online.

Further Squadron photos online, including P/O Kenneth Arthur Smith and crew.

21/10/2011

Remembrance Weekend 2011: Remembrance Weekend Programme2011 (PDF document).

20/10/2011

Available now: Newsletter 50 - October 2011

09/08/2011

Now online - the minutes and decisions from the very first Squadron reunion in June 1992 at RAF Museum, Hendon.

04, 09, 12/07/2011 & 07/08/2011

Reunion weekend: The 2011 photos continue to be added to, including BQ-B at RAF Coningsby. Plus the local press report.

22/07/2011

http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/displayinfo/
BBMF 2011 display diary

29 & 30/06/2011

The time of the BBMF Lancaster flypast has been CHANGED - it is now scheduled for 14:10.
For details see the fully revised: Detailed Itinerary

25/06/2011

Reunion - next weekend. A large gathering is expected this year and 80+ members will sit down to dinner on Saturday evening.

20/06/2011

Over 70 members have already checked in for the Memorial Service and Saturday evening dinner (and there are ca. 20 for the Friday evening meal too).
18 June may be past but if you have not replied yet and wish to join them then please do send in a response quickly.

20/05/2011, 01/06/2011 and 13/06/2011

If you have not already sent in your booking form do please do so by 18 June to allow numbers to be confirmed for the various events (and menu choices for those attending the dinner).
If you are planning on staying over the weekend you need to book your accommodation direct with the hotel, also by 18 June, so that they may confirm dates and numbers and have the opportunity to re-allocate any rooms that are not required.

Latest information on: July Annual Reunion: in North Killingholme

Available now: Newsletter 49 - May 2011

Finally: opportunity to buy Association badges, ties, pens, etc, see here for details.

01/06/2011

Refinements to Servicemen report - report modified to allow for search by surname and service; see link for details.

25/05/2011

Photographs of the cross and inscription for F/Sgt William Cooper, pilot of 550 Squadron Lancaster JB604 (lost during the night of 23/24 December 1943 when it was in collision with 550 Lancaster ED730), have been received.

08/05/2011, 11/05/2011, 14/05/2011 and 23/06/2011

7 MayRebecq Memorial unveiling
08/05: Pictures online
11/05: Link to video report on Belgium TV
14/05: Further pictures of unveiling plus exhibition
23/06: The full story of the events of 27/28 May 1944

29/04/2011

SPECIAL NOTE: Travelling to North Killingholme for the reunion weekend?

Take the opportunity to see BBMF Lanc BQ-B at RAF Coningsby on Fri 1st July or Mon 4th July.

Association badges, tiesdetails.

23/04/2011

BBMF 2011 Yearbook: available online

23/04/2011

BBMF Flypast: on 29 April 2011 at 13:30.
Due to the coverage of a certain Royal Wedding.
There is dedicated wedding coverage from 08:00-13:40 on BBC 1 so you will likely see the flypast live on the BBC (and BBC World News outside Buckingham Palace from 0700 GMT to 1800 GMT).

See this link for an excellent shot of BQ-B on the fly-past.

22/04/2011

Brookwood Military Cemetery: 550 Squadron men remembered

15/04/2011

Harry Quick rear-gunner with F/Lt Newitt: crew photo and operations list

27/03/2011

Revised and updated 550 Squadron Memorials (Westerlo, Westerbeek, Fleville, Berinzenne, Runnymede, Brookwood) pages

26/03/2011

New photographs and documents of John Atherton air-gunner with the Sgt Woods crew (ED730, FTR 23/24 Dec 1943)

24/03/2011 & 26/03/2011

Memorial to the crew of ME581 new photographs and extracts from log books

15/03/2011

1000+ aircrew details online

27/02/2011

Annual Reunion 2011: Information Update

26/02/2011

Complete list of operations for the F/Lt Jim Lord and F/O Les Cameron crews.

16/02/2011

Squadron photos: further photos online

06/02/2011

550 ex-aircrew: Special offer!

If you are 550 Squadron ex-aircrew and intending to go to the BBMF Visitor Centre at RAF Coningsby this year then click here for details of a special opportunity for you!

18/01/2011

Squadron information: MAJOR UPDATE

16/01/2011

Squadron log books: updated

01/01/2011

John Piper remembered: Grimsby Telegraph Bygones, December 2010

December 2010 and earlier

31/12/2010

RAF Memorial at Runnymede: 550 Squadron men remembered

27/12/2010

Hopefully a four-fold memory upgrade in the web-server will give an improved response time downloading pictures, etc.

27/11/2010

Remembrance Sunday Photos

It is appropriate that on Armistice Day we remember those 550 Squadron men who never came home. An Official telegram, similar to that received by Sgt Wilfred Barratt's mother, would have informed the families they left behind of the news they would not have wanted to hear.

August 2010

Canadian Lancaster FM212

Westerlo May 2010: Photos now online

Original Website Photos 78 Photos online again

Canada Air Show: Photos - August 2009

30 Missions: Roger Kirby's tribute to RAF Bomber Command

GW Battersby grave (Denmark)
Flight BQ-C/EE193 lost over Denmark, August 1944. Grimsby Telegraph June 2008

Phantom of the Ruhr: Flypast photos - 07 August Essex

Reunion 2010 Photos

July 2010

Government Response to BBMF Petition

70th anniversary of Battle of Britain: Video footage of Lancaster and Spitfire flypast from the BBC