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.
2019
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:
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.
See also the crew page.
13/04/2018
The IBCC, Lincoln was officially opened on 12th April 2018. 550 Veterans Edgar Pickles and Philip Blackham were in attendance.
06/04/2018
April 2018 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 69 (April 2018) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
Key items included in the Newsletter are the details about the events planned for 2018 in the UK and Belgium.
05/04/2018
550 Squadron veterans Jack Harris and Edgar Pickles met up again yesterday in the RAF Club, Piccadilly. Thirteen pages of photos are available, see: RAF Club, 4th April (PDF Format).
11/03/2018
Latest detailed information on the 2018 Events in Belgium.
09/03/2018
550 Squadron veteran Edgar Pickles featured in an item on Channel 7 News (Australia): https://www.facebook.com/7NewsMelbourne/videos/10156387548329301/?sk=group_161681870533907. Edgar and a group of 15 Australian Bomber Command veterans plan to attend the official opening of the IBCC in Lincoln in April.
26/02/2018
Updated details 2018 Events in Belgium.
18/02/2018
We learned recently about the death of long-standing 550 member and Annual Reunion attendee Frank Bastin. Details of the funeral arrangements are available here should any friend or member of the 550 Association wish to attend.
08/02/2018 & 13/02/2018
We are sad to report that George Bulman (Nav in the F/O K W Jeans crew) passed away in the last week of January. Details of the funeral arrangements are available here should any friend or member of the 550 Association wish to attend.
14/01/2018
Although the official opening is planned for April 2018, the IBCC, Canwick Hill, Lincoln will be open to the public from the 30th January.
12/01/2018
We are sad to report that Stephen Percy George DFM DFC (F/Eng in the S/Ldr Caldow crew) passed away in Ware, Herts on 3rd January aged 96.
07/01/2018
Notice of 2018 Events.
2017
21/12/2017
Two sites in the process of trying to record all Allied aircraft lost (in the identified country) in a single place:
WWII Allied Aircraft Crashes in Belgium
WWII Allied Aircraft Crashes in The Netherlands
13/11/2017
The first photos from the 2017 Remembrance Sunday are online at: Remembrance Weekend.
09/11/2017
Remembrance Weekend Update: 100 Squadron has contacted us to say that with deep regret it is unable to carry out any of its planned flypasts on Remembrance Sunday. It is very supportive of veterans and their families and will do their utmost to help in 2018.
For the full weekend details please see: Remembrance Weekend 2017 (below).
05/11/2017
Rebecq 3rd November: Remembrance for the P/O Purney crew.
02/11/2017
Sint Niklass All Soul's Day: Remembrance for the P/O Dukelow crew.
01/11/2017 Reminder
If you are planning to attend the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme, please remember to confirm bookings for the meals by
Friday this week (3rd November). Thank you.
24/10/2017
A flypast by an aircraft from 100 Squadron is confirmed as part of the programme for Remembrance Sunday. The time for the flypast is just after midday on Sunday 12/11/17 over St. Denys' Church. However, the usual caveat applies: any flypast is subject to flying regulations and operational requirements so may be cancelled without notice on the day.
For other weekend details please see: Remembrance Weekend 2017 (below).
11/10/2017
October 2017 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 68 (October 2017) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
Key items included in the Newsletter are the details about the Remembrance weekend, reports on events in 2017 and dates for 2018.
06/10/2017
The October newsletter will be circulated shortly. In this edition is a personal perspective on the meaning of Remembrance Day, an article about Lancaster Operations by 1 Group squadrons between 1942-45 and a heart-warming story about former 550 Wireless Operator Bill Rate, plus several other items.
Most importantly it will detail the Remembrance Sunday activities in North Killingholme next month. The latest date for booking meals on Saturday evening at the Ashbourne (11/11/17), and on Sunday lunchtime at the Amethyst (12/11/17) is Friday 3rd November 2017.
20/09/2017
New crew page added: P/O W J Shaw crew; this features information from the log book of air-gunner Sgt Normal Costigan who transferred in from 576 Squadron and flew some ops with the Shaw crew.
17/09/2017
New photos of the F/Lt J S G Crawford crew (killed on operations and commemorated in Artolsheim, France).
11/09/2017 & 13/09/2017
The first photos from the 2017 Reunion are now online at: Reunions.
10/09/2017
Super reunion weekend. A comprehensive set of photos and information will follow shortly. In the meantime see video of the Remembrance Service at the Memorial Stone, inc. the Lancaster flypast (which turned out to be possible after all), on the Grimsby Telegraph web-site: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/watch-world-famous-lancaster-bomber-451013#ICID=sharebar_whatsapp.
05/09/2017
It is looking very much like the Lancaster flypast will not happen. The latest information is that the BBMF Lancaster is grounded for the weekend (due to the ongoing issue with the Merlin engines) and will not be available for the Scampton airshow: see http://scamptonairshow.com/airshow/visiting/latest-news/n/2017/sep/04/the-bbmf-at-scampton-airshow and https://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/news/index.cfm?storyid=D278B6CC-A724-6BE8-7A12C1F5FFC2F90A. Consequently a Lancaster flypast over North Killingholme is looking unlikely. If there are any changes in the situation these will be posted here.
29/08/2017
Lancaster Flypast Confirmed
See 2017 Reunion for details.
20/08/2017
"Five Fifty" in the Grimsby Telegraph
19/08/2017
We are sad to report that Harry Bontoft (W/Op in the F/Lt Irving crew) passed away on Saturday 12th August aged 92. The family have asked that we pass on details of Harry's funeral: this will take place on Wednesday 30th August at 1.50PM at Lincoln crematorium.
13/08/2017
Available!
£15 (inc P&P) within the UK
£10 if collected from North Killingholme
550 Sqdn History Form (MS Word Format)
550 Sqdn History Form (PDF Format)
06/08/2017 Reminder
If you are planning to attend the 550 Association reunion in September North Killingholme this year, please remember to return your booking form (below, under 17/07/2017) by
25th August. Thank you.
17/07/2017
July 2017 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 67 (July 2017) (or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters).
Key items accompanying the Newsletter include the booking forms for the Reunion weekend, and an order form for the forthcoming book "Five Fifty". See immediately below.
| 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. |
16/07/2017
Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph on Saturday 15th July 2017 as tribute to Belgians lost in two World Wars. Representatives of the Association from Belgium laid a wreath in remembrance of 550 aircrew lost over Belgium, and the civilians who lost their lives helping them. See http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/cenotaph.php.
14/07/2017
We learned recently of the death of 550 Squadron navigator Bill Bennett (navigator in the F/O Morrison crew). Bill's funeral will take place at Thursday 20th July at 2.0 PM at St. Mary's Church in Stoke D'Abernon (near Cobham, KT11 3PX). The family would be pleased to see any Association members who are able to attend.
09/07/2017 & 11/07/2017
Coming Soon!
£15 (inc P&P) within the UK
£10 if collected from North Killingholme
25/06/2017
On the 24th June a memorial plaque was unveiled at the site on the Yorkshire Moors where 550 Lancaster NF963 crashed during a training flight. All of the crew, with the excepion of the pilot F/O Hayter, were killed.
We will remember them.
04/06/2017
Some photos from the commemorations in Belgium in the last week of May 2017 are now online:
27/05/2017
F/O Kenneth H Vaughan (A/B), of the F/Lt Blakeway crew, passed away on Monday 15th May 2017. His funeral will be held Friday 2nd June 1145hrs at Darlington Crematorium.
23/05/2017
Free exhibition, telling the story of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, at the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey. Two 550 air-crew are buried at Brookwood.
| 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 |
14/05/2017
Update from the note on 23/02/2017 (below) about the three air raid shelters on the old Airfield site. Good news: the pipeline is to be to diverted away from the shelters on Eastfield Road, and the site will remain intact and untouched. See the Air-raid Shelters link for details.
14/05/2017
New photos added of the F/O Buchanan crew in front of LL831/BQ-U and G W Beney, R/AG with the crew.
12/05/2017
We learned recently about the death of long-standing 550 member and regular Annual Reunion attendee Gerry Taylor. Gerry's funeral will take place at Friday 19th May 2017. Members are warmly invited to attend. Details of the arrangements are available here.
07/05/2017
Unveiling of a plaque for the crew of NF963 at Ellingstring, Yorkshire on Saturday 24th June. See the 2017 Advance Notice details below.
21/04/2017
Addition to events on Reunion Weekend, 8-10th September 2017. Chance to visit the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln on Sunday 10th Sept. See the 2017 Advance Notice details below.
19/04/2017
New photos added: Sgt AG Hall of the P/O D McCrae crew (lost over Lichtervelde, Belgium).
29/03/2017
April 2017 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 66 (April 2017) or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters.
Much of the information in the newsletter is now online including the usual "housekeeping" and arrangements for the Reunion Weekend in North Killingholme (September 2017) and commemorate events in Belgium.
One of the key items in the Newsletter is information about the forthcoming Squadron History! A form that can be sent in to pre-order copies, and assist in gauging the number of copies anticipated, is included with the Newsletter. See immediately below.
| 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. |
23/02/2017
Three air raid shelters on the old Airfield site, and which form part of the airfield tour at Reunion time, are in danger of demolition to make way for energy cabling. If you feel that you would like to add your voice to the protest against this (in favour of having the shelters carefully moved and preserved), then see the see: Air-raid Shelters link for details.
18/02/2017
New photos added: F/Sgt Rate of the F/O Richard crew (one of the crews that transferred in from 100 Sqdn when 550 Sqdn was formed).
04/02/2017
Lancaster on North Killigholme airfied, January 2017
03/02/2017
New Hedge at Memorial Stone
At the end of December 2016 a new hedge was put in at the Memorial Stone. The old hedge was almost entirely overgrown with ivy and in November it had been agreed to rip out the old hedge completely and replace with a new, easier to maintain, purple beech hedge. So in December the old hedge was dug up and replaced.
By the time of the next Reunion in September this should be well grown and looking better than the hedge it replaces.
29/01/2017
Newly received photos relating to the F/O Milburn crew in particular of the crash site in August 1945.
04/01/2017 Reminder
It's the time of the year when folks plan their holidays. If you are planning your hols, and are also planning to attend the 550 Association reunion in North Killingholme this year - remember it is almost two months later than in recent years. This year it is the weekend of Friday 8th - Sunday 10th September 2017 in order to coincide with the Scampton Air Show. See the 2017 Advance Notice details below.
2016
18/12/2016
Several new additions (e.g. Raid Preparation (Map Room), Officer's mess, Unknown crew) to the photo collection at: North Killingholme Station and Ground Staff.
03/12/2016
Photos from Remembrance Sunday 2016 in North Killingholme.
Photos from Remembrance 11th November 2016 in Westerlo.
27/11/2016
Several new additions (e.g. WAAFs, Intelligence Library, Senior NCO's mess) to the photo collection at: ground staff and miscellaneous.
27/11/2016
"They delivered 16,165 tons of bombs - Personally"
Grimsby newspaper clipping, February 1946
27/11/2016
550 Squadron Disbandment Parade, October 1945
23/11/2016
Commemorative visit in September 2016 to Achiet Le Petit for the F/Lt R W Picton crew.
20/11/2016
Memoirs of a 550 Flight Engineer: "From A New Angle" Steve George DFM DFC flew his second tour with the S/Ldr Caldow crew in 550 Squadron (published December 2015).
19/11/2016
New photos of the F/O Morrison crew.
09/11/2016
New photo of a group of air-bombers: see the Peter Noble (group) photo on the F/O Devereau crew page.
07/11/2016
A flypast by an aircraft from 100 Squadron is still part of the programme for Remembrance Sunday. The confirmed time for the flypast is 12.02hrs over St. Denys' Church. However, The usual caveat applies: any flypast is subject to flying regulations and operational requirements so may be cancelled without notice on the day.
For other weekend details please see: Remembrance Weekend 2016 (below).
07/11/2016
Sint Niklass All Saint's Day commemoriations for the P/O Dukelow crew.
31/10/2016 Reminder
Remembrance Weekend 2016
Details about the arrangements for Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme were published in the October newsletter (see: Remembrance Weekend 2016 (below).
If you are attending the evening meal at the Ashbourne on Saturday (12/11/16), and/or the lunch at the Amethyst on Sunday (13/11/16), please confirm numbers by no later than this Friday, 4th November (by contacting Don Kentish directly (contact details in the Newsletter)).
Any members who plan to attend on Sunday and wish to receive news about the flypast should also contact Don who will keep them keep them informed about developments.
19/10/2016
Added new photos of bomb aimers, recently received for the archive.
16/10/2016
Advance notice of events in 2017, including dates for two commemorative events in Belgium.
15/10/2016
Remembrance Weekend 2016
Details about the arrangements for Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme were published in the October newsletter (see 12/10/16 below). Now a full schedule for Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November is available. See: Remembrance Weekend 2016 (below).
12/10/2016
October 2016 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 65 (October 2016) or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters.
Much of the information in the newsletter is now online, including, in addition to the usual "housekeeping" and arrangements for the Remembrance Weekend in North Killingholme (12th/13th November 2016).
08/10/2016
International Bomber Command Centre:
"IBCC needs your help! On the 11 November we are holding a remembrance service with 120 8-11 year olds who will mark names on the walls at the site. We want to be able to give the kids info on who they are marking and so need your help to nominate names from the walls with short biographies and a photo. The walls currently only hold names from 1 and 5 Groups.
Please send nominations to events@internationalbcc.co.uk. Thanks in advance."
18/09/2016
Request for information: on Sgts Sheridan and McVey killed 4th October 1944 in NF863 on a training flight with the F/O S H Hayter crew. Both men were gunners and were actually members of the F/O R A Tapsell crew. Both were from Scotland and are buried in Glasgow and Lanarkshire repectively.
For details see here.
04/09/2016
Now online: the log-book of mid-upper gunner Sgt W W Hopper of the F/O E V Sage crew.
11/08/2016
It looks like the BBMF Lanc is confirmed flying at the following airshows over the coming weekends.
See the BBMF Flying programme for full details (inc. approx. times).
- Eastbourne International Airshow 11th-14th Aug (display)
- Bournemouth Air Festival 2016 18th-21st Aug (display)
- Little Gransden Air & Car Show 28th Aug (flypast over Elsham Wolds, Grimsby and Sleaford).
04/08/2016
14/08/2016 & 16/08/2016 Updated (NL media links)
Aalten Museum, The Netherlands
13th August: at an exhbition that features 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) members of the F/O Kay and F/O Berg families will be present for the commemoration.
31/07/2016
Peter Nobel diary: see F/O Devereau web-page.
29/07/2016
Ottrott Memorial (France) to F/O H Jones crew.
25/07/2016
550 Sqdn crew photos: F/O P M Roche.
11/07/2016
Advance Notice: 2017 Reunion weekend. The date of the 2017 reunion has been moved from usual July weekend to the second weekend in September in order to maximise the chance for a flypast by the BBMF Lancaster.
The September weekend co-incides with the Scampton Airshow 2017.
For details see: 2017 Reunion weekend.
05/07/2016
The first photos from the Annual Reunion weekend are now online here. More will follow over the coming days.
29/06/2016 Reunion Weekend
As noted in the Travel Information pack, there might be delays/detours caused by the on-going development of the A160 and A180 junction and approaches. There will also be a couple of closures of railway crossings in the area over the weekend. Diversions are likely to be signposted but do please allow extra travel time.
See 2016 Reunion for full weekend details.
18/06/2016
Inauguration of a memorial to F/O D F Neilson and crew of LM134 in Rhenen, The Netherlands. See Rhenen Memorial.
10/06/2016 Update
Dakota flypast replaced by a Spitfire flypast.
See 2016 Reunion for details.
08/06/2016 Reminder
2016 Reunion The closing date for the booking forms is
Only a few days thereafter the menu selections need to be returned to the Ashbourne Hotel. So if you are intending to attend but have not yet returned the booking form then please do so. Many thanks.
05/06/2016
For those planning to include a visit to see the "Poppies" at Lincoln Castle over the reunion weekend see the note provided with the Annual Reunion information below.
02/06/2016
Some initial photos from the commemorations in Belgium in the last week of May 2016 are now online (more will follow later).
See also:
31/05/2016
Revision (minor) to time of Dakota flypast. For details see the Annual Reunion information below.
30/05/2016
Commemoration to the P/O Purney crew in Rebecq, 25th May 2016. See the http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2016a.php.
20/05/2016
May 2016 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 64 (May 2016) or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters.
Much of the information in the newsletter is now online, including, in addition to the usual "housekeeping" and event arrangements:
- booking forms, including menu selections, for the reunion; these are also available as links in the electronic copies of the newsletter, and in the Annual Reunion information below.
- Operation Dodge Part 2
- "THE ARMOURER", by LAC Laurence Gurr, Armourer, 550 Squadron
- advance information about Remembrance Weekend
18/05/2016
The full navigation charts for the last operation of The Phantom of the Ruhr are now available online: see Aschaffenburg, 21/11/1944 (below).
12/05/2016
The booking forms, including menu selections, are now available. For details see the Annual Reunion information below.
02/05/2016
Inauguration of Memorial at Rhenen, The Netherlands to the F/O D F Neilson crew of LM134 lost on 16/17 June 19 to Sterkrade.
01/05/2016
New information: F/O G Pickavance RCAF Navigator with the Sgt G Hunter crew was in fact a US airman who joined up with the RCAF before the US entered WWII.
28/04/2016
Roy Kay (F/Eng) evaded capture when the S/Ldr Smith crew flying in ME840 failed to return on 16/17 June 1944 from a raid to Sterkrade, Germany. The conclusion of a long search by the Dutch family for Roy Kay is recorded here.
28/04/2016
Pages from the log book of F/O Fletcher air-bomber with the F/O F J Cox crew now available here.
28/04/2016
Pages from the log book of F/Lt Cassidy RAAF DFC* navigator with the S/Ldr Caldow crew now available here.
In addition F/Lt Cassidy's navigation charts are also in the process of being scanned in for display on the web-site. Some are already available here.
10/04/2016
Photos from the Inauguration of the Memorial at Jalhay, to the F/Sgt Jefferies crew of LM425, which took place yesterday are now online.
Available here.
04/04/2016
April 2016 Newsletter: in distribution.
See Issue 63 (April 2016) or Association Newsletters for the full archive of newsletters.
Much of the information in the newsletter is now online, including, in addition to the usual "housekeeping" and event arrangements:
- Operation Manna
- Operation Dodge Part 1 (Part 2 to follow in the next newsletter)
- important information about future BBMF flypasts
- and a possible Air Show at RAF Scampton from 2017.
03/04/2016
Annual Reunion information update.
In particular the latest timetable and accommodation information for the Annual Reunion in North Killingholme in July is now online. Also, the April newletter is now in distribution; both the electronic and surface mail copies will start to be sent out this morning.
02/03/2016
Updated Decorations report (added photos and information on decorations, awards and campaign stars and medals).
21/02/2016
Request for information Phantom of The Ruhr print (Wareham crew).
31/01/2016
New photos and information about the crew received for the Prangley crew lost on 26/27 November 1943 on the raid to Berlin in LM379. They were the first crew to be lost on operations by 550 Squadron.
2015
28/12/2015
The men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present, deserve our remembrance and appreciation.
The 2016 Armed Forces Day National Event will be held in Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire on Saturday 25 June.
27/12/2015
Tunbridge Wells wing commander's 37 raids dodging the flak: item in the Kent and Sussex Courier (posted December 27, 2015) on the Christmas Eve 1944 raid on Cologne with Jack Harris.
13/12/2015 & 07/02/2016
You'll have heard of Operations MANNA, Exodus and Dodge, but did you know that 550 Squadron also took part in several of the so-called "Cooks Tours", including:
- Operation Post Mortem (June 1945): low flying exercise to test the effectiveness of German short and long-range radars (550 flew 68 sorties to contribute to this evaluation)
- Operation Spasm (October 1945): a kind of sightseeing tour over Berlin
10/12/2015
| 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 |
22/11/2015
Historical documents and photos concerning the planning, installation and unveiling, in 1947, of the monument to F/O P G Milburn and crewin Berinzenne (Belgium) are now available.
17/11/2015
Preliminary notice of 2016 Events.
This includes three commemoration ceremonies in Belgium (in April and May), plus the Annual Reunion and Armistice Sunday.
11/11/2015
Rebecq, Belgium.
Saturday 7th November 2015.
Purney crew remembered.
http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/cer4.php
09/11/2015
Remembrance Sunday, North Killingholme.
04/11/2015
100 Squadron to provide a flypast by two aircraft over St. Denys' Church at 12.02 hrs on Sunday 8th November 2015.
For details see: Remembrance Weekend.
The usual caveat applies: "weather permitting"; in the event of adverse weather or operational circumstances the fly-past may be subject to last minute cancellation.
04/11/2015
Sint Niklaas, Belgium.
All Saint's Day, 1st November 2015.
Dukelow crew remembered.
30/10/2015
If you pay the association membership subscription, or indeed are sending any other payment, e.g. for merchandise, by cheque then please see the note at Association Subscriptions.
28/10/2015
The Killingholme Full Bore Club will hold a small Armistice Ceremony on Saturday November 7th at approx. 11:30 a.m (so as to not clash with the 550 Squadron Association service at the Memorial Stone on the Sunday). This will include laying of a wreath by the club, new signage and a celebration of the completion of the refurbishment of the large back wall (target wall) built by the RAF in the 1940's.
A short service with words of remembrance will be held. Members of the 550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association are most welcome to attend. Warm sausage rolls, tea and coffee will be provided.
If the club receives names, addresses and date of birth of anyone that would like to shoot vintage and more recent rifles on the day then the opportunity will be available. They must have their details by email before Tuesday 27th October in order to meet Home Office regulations.
09/10/2015 & 12/10/2015
October Newsletter: in distribution - see Association Newsletters.
The newsletter contains details about the Remembrance Weekend (inc. one page summary timetable of weekend events) plus details of events in North Killingholme and Belgium 2016.
Pre-selection from the menu for the Saturday evening is necessary for groups of more than 10 people so please call Don and Val Kentish by Saturday 31st October if you plan to attend so that arrangements can be finalised.
30/09/2015
Disappointing news in the Grimsby Telegraph:
Disappointment as Waddington Air Show scrapped for good due to 'increased security concerns'
31/08/2015
Further 550 Sqdn crew photos online
17/08/2015
Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
Tuesday 15 September 2015 at St Paul's Cathedral
To help the RAFA with their engagement and fundraising activities around London on that day please see the following
information.
02/08/2015
BBC Lincolnshire: Bomber Command veterans sought for memorial unveiling
International Bomber Command Centre: The Spire Memorial Unveiling Ceremony: 2nd October 2015
07/07/2015 & 08/07/2015
2015 Reunion Weekend: photos now online
07/07/2015
Grimsby Telegraph: Former 550 Squadron members, families and villagers attend reunion
03/07/2015 Final Update
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
|
Timetable of Events (final)
Detailed timetable of the Saturday events |
02/07/2015
May 1945 the last page of the log book of F/O Levene (W/Op) in S/Ldr Newitt crew says it all.
29/06/2015 Late Update
BBMF Dakota not able to carry out a fly-past on Saturday
It is really disappointing to have to report that the Dakota will not be available for a flypast over NK on Saturday either now.
"... just had a call from the BBMF. The Dakota is to undergo an engine change and will NOT be coming to NK on Saturday. Such changes take at least a week. Unfortunately the BBMF cannot send a replacement."
24/06/2015
Grimsby Telegraph: Propeller found in sea could have come from Killingholme Lancaster. May be from a Lancaster which crashed off the coast of Donna Nook in 1944.
15/06/2015 Reminder
2015 Reunion The closing date for the booking forms is
Only a few days thereafter the menu selections need to be returned to the Ashbourne Hotel. So if you are intending to attend but have not yet returned the booking form then please do so. Many thanks.
10/06/2015
After the recent publicity surrounding the Lancaster engine fire the aircraft remains grounded. Thus you will be unsurprised to learn that the BBMF have informed the Association that it will be a Dakota flypast on Saturday 4th July 2015. Although disappointed, we are pleased it will be at our preferred time of 2.00pm and therefore involve no alterations to our published timetable. A final programme, incorporating the change of aircraft, is available from the link below, but as usual we must still be prepared for late amendments.
08/06/2015
Achiet-Le-Petit, Sunday 6th June: Photos from the commemoration that took place for F/Lt Picton DFC and crew of LL836.
See: Achiet-Le-Petit.
03/06/2015 Reminder
2015 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 16th June 2015. Only a few days thereafter the menu selections need to be returned to the Ashbourne Hotel. So if you are intending to attend but have not yet booked accommodation or returned the booking form then please do so. Many thanks.
03/06/2015
June Newsletter: in distribution - see Association Newsletters. The newsletter contains details about the Reunion Weekend arrangements including the booking forms and menus. Booking forms can be returned electronically (email) or in the traditional manner (post); address details are as given on the forms.
03/06/2015
As mentioned in the June Newsletter: "Bombing Germany: The Final Phase" A new book about the final few months of Bomber Command's war, concentrating on the Pforzheim raid of 23/24 February 1945. The book includes contributions from 12 aircrew of 550 Sqdn who either flew on the raid or could provide useful contributions.
There is an excellent interview with the author at: http://www.sirenonline.co.uk/archives/12224 which features a couple of mentions of 550 Squadron and North Killingholme.
(published January 2015)
02/06/2015
Photographs from the Commemoration in Rebecq (27th/28th May) are now available.
11/05/2015
On the BBC web-site: Bomber Command memorial spire installed in Lincoln. A 98ft (30m) high metal spire has been erected at the site of a memorial for World War Two aircrews.
04/05/2015
May Newsletter: in distribution - see Association Newsletters. The newsletter contains details about the Reunion Weekend arrangements.
25/04/2015
On the BBC web-site: Dutch bulb mosaic marks Operation Manna campaign. A floral mosaic showing a Lancaster bomber dropping food supplies in Nazi-occupied Holland has been unveiled at Lincoln Cathedral.
12/04/2015
Reunion weekend: summary
Saturday events: summary
For all details and including accommdation information see : below
10/04/2015
2015 Reunion Weekend
Detailed Timetable of Events (provisional)
01/04/2015
550 Sqdn Aircraft: Jenny's Pent House
24/03/2015, 25/03/2015 & 29/03/2015
Further 550 Sqdn crew photos online
03/03/2015, updated 23/03/2015, & 27/03/2015
"A terrible accident down on the beach"
The Cleethorpes Chronicle, 19 February 2015
The
F/Lt Fleming crew, while on a visit to Cleethorpes, went to the assistance of a young boy who was badly injured by a cordite cartridge he had found.
Would you believe that the "boy" in the diary has read the article and been in touch with [Tony Fleming the son of the 550 pilot in the story]? He is alive and well at 82.
Finally: "70-year puzzle finally solved" (pg 1, pg2).
The Cleethorpes Chronicle, 26 March 2015
With thanks to The Cleethorpes Chronicle for permission to display the articles.
16/03/2015
Annual Reunion Flypast
After the uncertainty last autumn about the availability of the Lancaster in 2015 due to the cancellation of the Waddington Airshow, it is wonderful to be able to report that the RAF Air Events Team have informed the Association that the application for a Lancaster flypast on Saturday 4th July 2015 has been successful.
A 2.00pm flypast has been asked for, but notification of the actual time will not be confirmed until a few weeks before the event when the BBMF finalises the flying programme for the day. As ever, the time may be subject to change up to and including the day itself.
15/03/2015
Appeal for Veterans to Contact the International Bomber Command Centre
Correspondence Address: International Bomber Command Centre, 13 Cherry Holt Road, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9LA
web-site: http://internationalbombercommandcentre.com/
See the full details about the request at: Requests For Information (below)
14/03/2015
Daily Express (16th Feb): Hero who flew in plane named after the Daily Express recalls his memories of war
07/03/2015
Appeal for Information
A commemoration is planned on 6th June 2015 in Achiet le Petit, France, for the crew of 550 Squadron Lancaster LL836 (pilot F/LtR W Picton)
Does anyone know contact details for Ray Readon (follow the link for more details).
01/03/2015
Updated photographs: F/Lt Steele (RCAF) and crew
16/02/2015
Jack Harris has given a talk at the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury on three occasions. These talks were so over-subscribed that a fourth talk is now scheduled. This is scheduled for Wednesday 4 March 2015, 12:00 - 14:30. See Flying with Bomber Command in World War II. Contact the Hospice in the Weald to book your place (lunch included).
11/02/2015
Trenchard Lectures, Royal Aeronautical Society, 19th February: Bomber Command and Political Warfare 1939-1945: The Missing Dimension. Among the many things Bomber Command was asked to do, its role in assisting British political warfare has been largely neglected by historians. Yet the 1.5 billion leaflets and newspapers dropped over Europe during the war was only possible because of the co-operation of Bomber Command.
27/01/2015
Grimsby Telegraph: Killingholme marking Operation Manna's 70th anniversary
20/01/2015
Grimsby Telegraph: Tribute to WW2 RAF Grimsby Lancaster crewman who flew missions over Germany
18/01/2015
Does anyone from the squadron still remember Archibald Menzies Gardner? See Requests For Information below.
01/01/2015
Happy New Year
Database reports updates so that two (extended Roll of Honour and Service personnel) now return some summation statistics
2014
14/11/2014
Further Reunion 2014 weekend photos added
10/11/2014
2014 Remembrance Weekend: photos now online
30/10/2014
The talk scheduled to have been given by Jack Harris in North Killingholme on 7 November has had to be cancelled. Due to illness Jack feels unable to undertake the long journey to North Killingholme at this time.
Apologies for any disappointment caused.
We wish Jack a speedy recovery.
23/10/2014
October Newsletter: in distribution - see Association Newsletters. The newsletter contains a reminder about the talk to be given by Jack Harris in North Killingholme on 7 November, plus all the other Remembrance Weekend arrangements.
11/10/2014
The Vulture Strikes PA995, 100th Op, 05 March 1945. Blackler crew boarding: new photo available
06/10/2014 & 03/10/2014
Jack Harris gave a talk Flying with Bomber Command in World War II at the end of September 2014 at the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury. This was the third time he has been pleased to give the talk and it was, on this occasion, attended by 65 people.
There will be an opportunity to hear Jack again in North Killinghome when he speaks in St Denys' Church on the Friday evening of Remembrance Weekend. See: Flying with 550 Squadron from North Killingholme: A talk by Jack Harris (poster in PDF format). Tickets can be reserved to be collected on the night.
Other weekend details summarised here.
30/09/2014
Canadian Lancaster returns safely home following historical tour of Lincolnshire and the UK
24/09/2014
Do you have any informaton on crew members of LM134 F/O D F Neilson crew?
See Requests For Information below.
23/09/2014
- Maps of German City Defences (as provided to navigators) and
- Propaganda Leaflets dropped by Bomber Command crews
14/09/2014
Do you have any informaton on Sgt Anthony (Tony) Finnigan, Flight Engineer or Sgt Reg Stevens of the P/O S W Nielson crew?
See Requests For Information below.
14/09/2014 & 22/09/2014
Remembrance Weekend 2014
The closing date for notifying us about attendance at the two meals is Saturday 1st November 2014. This enables us to give sufficient notice about numbers and to send out menus should pre-selection be necessary (for a group of 12 or more people).
Jack Harris will give a talk in St Denys' Church on the Friday evening, 8.0pm.
Full details here
10/09/2014
550 Sqdn crest stolen from Berinzenne monument. For details see: here
23/08/2014
PM honours local hero
Letter from David Cameron about Sam Lipfriend, F/Eng with 550 Sqdn
23/08/2014
16/08/2014
Politz 08/02/45 navigation log
Pforzheim 23/02/45 navigation log
Special Order Of The Day V E Day by Air Chief Marshal Sir A T Harris
13/08/2014
BBC News: Historic Lancasters' tandem flight takes place in Lincolnshire
12/08/2014 & 30/11/2014
"Never Forget" An Exhibition (April 14th to August 31st 2014) in memory of F/O Milburn and the crew of ME581 / BQ-D who lost their lives during the night of 22/23 April 1944, crashing at Berinzenne in Belgium
Extended to 9th Jan 2015
10/08/2014
Vera Arrives ...
... to be greeted by veterans
19/07/2014
The Lancaster: Britain's Flying Past
Passionate flying enthusiast and broadcaster John Sergeant celebrates the plane that some believe won the war - the Lancaster.
BBC2: Sun 20 Jul 2014 21:30
BBC2: Wed 30 Jul 2014 19:00
19/07/2014
14/07/2014
Colour pictures Sunrise Return J-Jig returning to North Killingholme and CdG Citation for the Bowen-Bravery crew.
13/07/2014
Reunion 2014 photos and information
(more still to follow)
07/07/2014 & 08/07/2014
Coverage of the weekend events in the local press:
- Lancaster Bomber flypast is star attraction at Killingholme memorial Gathering. A SPECIAL memorial plaque has been unveiled to mark the 70th anniversary of 550 Squadron starting its operations from North Killingholme - and the bravery of its pilots.
- Pilgrimage to honour father John Arnold
- At least 200 people turned up Don Kentish
- Became a prisoner-of-war in 1945 Gordon Bell
- Bravery of squadron honoured 70 years on Killingholme Full Bore Club (Plaque unveiling)
- Impressed people are so attached Ole Seberg
- It's fantastic – I feel very proud Vivien Borrill-Townsend
- It shows respect for those who flew OFFICIALS of Killingholme Full Bore Club
03/07/2014
BBMF display dates for first weekend July 2014 specifically Saturday, NORTH KILLINGHOLME, 14:40 and Sunday NORTH KILLINGHOLME, 11:30
25/06/2014
Further 550 Sqdn group photo online
21/06/2014 Stop Press
2014 Reunion Additional Fly-past opportunity!
06/06/2014, 17/06/2014, 18/06/2014 & 13/07/2014
The Royal Dutch Air Force fly four F-16 aircraft in "missing man" formation at 16.00 hours local time on 17 June as a mark of respect for the crew of Lancaster ME840 that crashed on 17 June 1944 while on a raid to Sterkrade.
See also:
- Flyby to fallen RAF crew (report in NL press, 10th June)
- F16 missing man manoeuvre (YouTube Video)
- Much interest Flyby F 16s (report in NL press 17th June)
- Great interest for F16s over Barlo (report in NL press plus video of flyby)
- Impressive commemoration Leslie Pulfrey, gunner and bombardier. (report and photos)
- Jets at memorial to crashed bomber. (report and video)
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
"Never Forget" An Exhibition (April 14th to August 31st 2014) in memory of F/O Milburn and the crew of ME581 / BQ-D who lost their lives during the night of 22/23 April 1944, crashing at Berinzenne in Belgium
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:
- Artolsheim Saturday 12th April
- Sondernach Sunday 13th April
- Rebecq Wednesday 28th May
- Westerlo Sunday 1 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:
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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
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RAFA Commemoration in the National Basilica, Brussels: Information sheet |
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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
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
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
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
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
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
July 2010
Government Response to BBMF Petition
70th anniversary of Battle of Britain: Video footage of Lancaster and Spitfire flypast from the BBC
June 2010
Reunion Flypast schedule alteration
Armed Forces Day, Help for Heroes
May 2010