550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association Events
2025 (advance notice)
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2025 | North Killingholme | Date not yet confirmed |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 9th November 2025 |
2024
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration
F/O Milburn crew: ME581 F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 P/O McCrea crew: LL810 P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq Belgium |
Wednesday 22nd May 2024
Notice has been received of a ceremony to be held in Rebecq to remember the 550 crews who crashed in Belgium:
In the presence of the Representatives of HM the King of the Belgians, with a Royal band and a guard of honour. The Ambassadors of countries having nationals involved in the crashes in Belgium in WW2 will be invited. CANCELLED - early May 2024 Due to the sad passing of Wilfred Burie in early April 2024 this event was cancelled at short notice. See: Wilfred Burie. |
| Commemoration P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Westerlo Belgium |
Sunday 26th May 2024
Notice has been received of a small ceremony of Remembrance for this 550 Squardon crew fallen at Westerlo on 22nd May 1944 |
| Commemoration F/O Neilson crew: LM134 |
Rhenen The Netherlands |
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th June 2024
Notice has been received of commemorations for this 550 Squadron crew fallen at Rhenen on 16/17 June 1944. Two families will be in attendance: relatives of Harold Beverley Brett from Canada and the Jago family from England, relatives of Arthur Paget. If you have information about relatives of any of the crew-members then please contact the web-site (details in the page footer). |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2024 | North Killingholme | Friday 12th - Saturday 13th July 2024 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 10th November 2024 |
2023
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Fly-past of the BBMF Lancaster | Rebecq, Belgium | Thursday 4th May 2023
Notice was received in February of a Service of Remembrance for the celebration of the Allied Victory (which is commemorated in Belgium on May 8th) to take place on the occasion of a fly-past by the BBMF Lancaster. The ceremony will begin at 11.15 am until 12 noon. The overflight of the Lancaster is planned for 12.19 pm, so that the public attending can see the aircraft and take pictures. 
See: Rebecq Lancaster Flypast See: https://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2023-flypast.php See: https://www.belgians-remember-them.eu/c2023-fp.php See: https://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2023-fp.php See: https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/news/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight-fly-overseas-commemorative-sortie-over-belgium-and-the-netherlands/ 
|
| "Chastise 80" Lancaster Flypast | North Killingholme | Tuesday 16th May 2023
The BBMF are currently arranging a special flypast by the Lancaster of Bomber Command airfields 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. A more exact time will be given when the schedule is completed. As with all BBMF flypasts, this is subject to aircraft serviceability and weather conditions. 
The latest information is that the Lancaster will fly over St Denys' Church, North Killingholme at 19:32. Should more updates be received they will be added on this web-site. |
| Commemoration
F/O Milburn crew: ME581 F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 P/O McCrea crew: LL810 P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 17th May 2023
Notice has been received of a ceremony to be held in Rebecq to remember the 550 crews who crashed in Belgium:
In the presence of the Representatives of HM the King of the Belgians, with a Royal band and a guard of honour. See: Rebecq Commemoration 2023 See: https://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2023-rebecq.php (French) See: https://www.belgians-remember-them.eu/c2023-rebecq.php (English) See: https://www.tvcom.be/video/info/mercredi-17-mai-2023_32412_214.html (TVCom TV news about the event) |
| Commemoration P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 |
Sint Niklaas, Belgium | Sunday 21st May 2023
Ceremony to remember the Dukelow crew See Sint-Niklaas Commemoration 2023 |
| North Killingholme Annual ReunionReunion 2023 | North Killingholme | Friday 7th - Saturday 8th July 2023 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 12th November 2023 |
2022
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration S/Ldr G S Smith crew (and others): ME840 |
Gendringen, The Netherlands | Friday 6th May 2022 at 12 noon
Unveiling of a memorial in Gendringen (close to the German border) to remember all (500+) casualties during WWII in the former municipalities of Gendringen and Wisch (nowadays: Oude IJsselstreek). These victims are, citizens, Dutch, Canadian, English and German soldiers and RAF victims of the nine crashes in that area. The monument features a Canadian soldier in front and a Lancaster overhead. See Gendringen Commemoration 2022. More information can be found on the Memorial website https://www.ownv.nl/?lang=en and many photographs are available here https://stjornuryk.jalbum.net/OWNV/. |
| Commemoration
F/O Milburn crew: ME581 F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 P/O McCrea crew: LL810 P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 18th May 2022
Notice has been received of a combined ceremony to be held in Rebecq to remember the 550 crews who crashed in Belgium:
In the presence of the Representatives of HM the King of the Belgians, with a Royal band and a guard of honour. The Ambassadors of UK, Canada and Denmark were also invited. A reception followed the ceremony at the "Little Mill", Rebecq. See Rebecq Commemoration 2022 http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2022.php |
| Commemoration P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Westerlo, Belgium | Sunday 22nd May 2022
Ceremony of Remembrance of the 550 Squardon crew fallen at Westerlo on 22nd May 1944 - 10.30 am: Mass of Remembrance to the church of Voortkapel Church - 11.30 am: Service of Commemoration and laying of wreaths at the Memorial Stone A lunch followed the ceremony (at Voortkapel Gild) See Westerlo Commemoration 2022 http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2022west.php |
| North Killingholme Annual ReunionReunion 2022 | North Killingholme | Friday 8th - Saturday 9th July 2022 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 13th November 2022 |
2021
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration
F/O Milburn crew: ME581 F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 P/O McCrea crew: LL810 P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq, Belgium | NOW Wednesday 29th September 2021 at 10:00 AM
(Was originally planned to take place on Wednesday 19th May 2021) Due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic the 2020 ceremony was postponed to the May date in 2021 noted above, but this was then moved to the date in September (correct at the time of this latest update, 08/08/2021) The year 2021 coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Rebecq Association. The tribute to the crews of 550 Squadron has been extended to all those who fell, while under the command of the Royal Air Force, in Belgium during WWII. This event prompted the Rebecq Association to invite ambassadors from the 14 countries that had nationals involved in the crashes in Belgium. All responded that they will be present. It will therefore be an important ceremony during which His Majesty the King wished to be represented. The commemoration was able to take place on 29th September as planned and was a very significant event. See Rebecq Commemoration 2021 |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2021 | North Killingholme | Friday 9th - Saturday 10th July 2021
18th June 2021 CANCELLED Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation For more information see: cancellation details |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 14th November 2021 |
2020
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration
F/O Milburn crew: ME581 F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 P/O McCrea crew: LL810 P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 20th May 2020
6th April 2020 CANCELLED Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation Notice has been received of a combined ceremony to be held in Rebecq to remember Bomber Command crews who crashed in Belgium. The following crews are remembered:
The ceremony will take place in the presence of the Representative of the King of the Belgians, and will also mark the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. For more information see: cancellation details |
| Commemoration P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Westerlo, Belgium | Thursday 21st May 2020
6th April 2020 CANCELLED Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2020 | North Killingholme | Friday 3rd - Saturday 4th July 2020
20th March 2020 CANCELLED Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation For more information see: cancellation details |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 8th November 2020
2nd November 2020 CANCELLED Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation As at 13 October 2020 a much reduced service was still planned to take place, but (as of 31st October) with England entering a second lockdown on 5th November then the events in North Killingholme were cancelled For more information see: cancellation details |
2019
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration F/O Roche crew: LM455 |
Blamont, France | VE Day 2019
Commemoration service for the crew See Blamont Commemoration 2019 |
| Commemoration
F/O Milburn crew: ME581 F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 P/O McCrea crew: LL810 P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 22nd May 2019
Notice has been received of a combined ceremony to be held in Rebecq to remember 550 crews who crashed in Belgium. The following crews are remembered:
The ceremony will take place in the presence of the Representative of the King of the Belgians. A flypast is planned with aircraft or helicopters of Belgian Air Force and a military band will play hymns. In the case of the Rebecq (P/O E C Purney RCAF) crash this is the 75th anniversary of the crash. See Rebecq Commemoration 2019 http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/cer2019.php http://www.belgians-remember-them.eu/event1.php |
| Commemoration P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 |
Sint Niklaas, Belgium | Saturday 25th May 2019
Unveiling service for a new memorial dedicated to the crew (close to the crash site) See Sint-Niklaas Commemoration 2019 |
| Commemoration P/O McCrae crew: LL810 |
Lichtervelde, Belgium | Saturday 15th June 2019
Commemoration at the site of the new (2017) memorial to the crew See Lichtervelde Commemoration 2019 |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2019 | North Killingholme | Friday 12th - Saturday 13th July 2019 |
| Commemoration W/Cmdr Connolly crew: LL837 |
Bussy La Cote, France | Saturday 13th July 2019
Unveiling of a new memorial for the crew (close to the crash site) See Bussy La Cote Commemoration 2019 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 10th November 2019 |
2018
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration
P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Purney crew: JA712 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 23rd May 2018
Notice was received of a combined ceremony to be held in Rebecq to remember the 550 crews who crashed in Belgium: St. Niklaas (P/O P J Dukelow) Rebecq (P/O E C Purney RCAF) and Westerlo (P/O G W Hinde) Tuesday 22nd, 19:00 Dinner for 550 Guests Wednesday 23rd, 10:00 Ceremony at the Memorial, 11:30 Reception and Lunch, 19:00 Dinner for 550 Guests Thursday 24th, details to be advised See Rebecq Commemoration 2018 http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2018.php |
| Commemoration P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 |
Sint Niklaas, Belgium | Saturday 26th May 2018
10 AM Tereken municipal cemetry Sint-Niklaas; family members of the crew and all delegations meet at the entrance 10.30 Assemble at the graves 11.00 Inauguration Memorial Stone 12.00 Service ends 12.45 Cold lunch at Hotel Serwir, Astridlaan, Sint-Niklaas See Sint-Niklaas Commemoration 2018 http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2018a.php |
| Commemoration P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Westerlo, Belgium | Sunday 27th May 2018
20th anniversary of unveiling of the memorial Saturday afternoon, Tribute in Schoonselhof, Antwerpen Saturday evening, 19:00 Dinner Sunday 10.30 AM service at church followed by a parade of vintage jeeps to the Memorial stone for a service to take place at 12.00 noon Reception to follow in the Polyvalente room with lunch from 13.00 See Westerlo Commemoration 2018 http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/c2018b.php |
| Commemoration S/Ldr G S Smith crew: DV309 |
Oude Ijsselstreek, The Netherlands | Friday 8th June September 2018
See Oude Ijsselstreek Commemoration 2018 |
| Belgian Commemoration | Cenotaph, Horse Guards | Saturday 14th July September 2018
Annual commemoration of loses in two World Wars in Belgium, Belgium military parade in uniform bearing arms, an honour bestowed by King George V in 1934 550 Squadron Association was represented and laid a wreath during the ceremony in the presence of His Majesty the King of the Belgians See Ceremonie de Commemoration Londres |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2018 | North Killingholme | Friday 7th - Sunday 9th September 2018 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 11th November 2018 |
2017
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration
P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 P/O Purney crew: JA712 P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 24th May 2017
A combined ceremony held in Rebecq to remember the 550 crews who crashed in Belgium: St. Niklaas (P/O P J Dukelow) Rebecq (P/O E C Purney RCAF) and Westerlo (P/O G W Hinde) See Rebecq Commemoration 2017 |
| Commemoration P/O McCrae crew: LL810 |
Lichtervelde, Belgium | Sunday 28th May
A memorial to the McCrae crew unveiled in Lichtervelde The official unveiling of the memorial at the crash site of the P/O McCrae crew (LL810/BQ-K) who were killed on 27/28 May 1944 took place at 10.30am on 28th May, the 73rd anniversary of their loss See Lichtervelde Commemoration 2017 |
| Commemoration F/O Milburn crew: ME581 |
Berinzenne, Belgium | Summer 2017
A memorial plaque laid in memory of F/O Milburn and crew who crashed flying ME581/BQ-D on 22/23 April 1944 |
| Commemoration F/O Hayter crew: NF963 |
Ellingstring, Yorkshire | Saturday 24th June at noon
A memorial plaque to the crew of NF963/BQ-A unveiled at the crash site. NF963 was on a training flight when it crashed on 4th October 1944. F/O S H Hayter was the only survivor. |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion Reunion 2017 | North Killingholme | Friday 8th and Saturday 9th September 2017
(some events on Sunday and possibly also on Monday morning) |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 12th November 2017 |
2016
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Inauguration of the Jalhay Memorial F/Sgt Jefferies crew: LM425 |
Jalhay, Belgium | Saturday 9th April 2016, 11AM
http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/jalhay2016.php |
| Commemoration P/O Purney crew: JA712 |
Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 25th May 2016
http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/rebecq2016.php |
| Commemoration P/O Dukelow crew: LL851 |
Sint Niklaas, Belgium | Saturday 28th May 2016
http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/stniklaas2016.php |
| Commemoration P/O Hinde crew: DV309 |
Westerlo, Belgium | Sunday 29th May 2016
http://www.rebecq-memorial.eu/westerlo2016.php |
| New (replacement) plaque on the Berinzenne Memorial F/O Milburn crew: ME581 |
Berinzenne, Belgium | Summer 2016 |
| Commemoration F/O Neilson crew: LM134 |
Rhenen, The Netherlands | Friday 17th June 2016
For details of the planned schedule see: here If you need more information then please contact: Gerard van der Vliet |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd July 2016 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 13th November 2016 |
2015
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration, Purney crew: JA712 | Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 27th May |
| Commemoration, McCrae crew: LL810 | Lichtervelde, Belgium | Thursday 28th May |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th July 2015 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 8th November |
2014
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration Service: LM392 | Artolsheim, France | Saturday 12th April |
| Commemoration Service: LL852 | Sondernach, France | Sunday 13th April |
| Commemoration Service: JA712 | Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 28th May
This commemoration will remember all the 550 crews lost over Belgium 70 years ago:
|
| Commemoration Service: LL851 | Sint-Niklaas, Belgium | Saturday 31st May |
| Commemoration Service: DV309 | Westerlo, Belgium | Sunday 1st June |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion
70th Anniversary: Squadron Operations from North Killingholme |
North Killingholme | Friday 4th July (afternoon/evening, arrive)
Saturday 5th July (main events, inc. flypast) |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 9th November |
2013
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration Service | Rebecq, Belgium | Wednesday 29th May |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion
70th Anniversary: Squadron formation |
North Killingholme | Friday 5th July (afternoon/evening, arrive)
Saturday 6th July (main events, inc. flypast) Sunday 7th July (tour of NK airfield for those who wish to visit) Monday 8th July (visit to Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby) |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 10th November |
2012
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration Service | Rebecq, Belgium | Saturday 9th May |
| Services | Westerlo, Belgium | Saturday 19th May & Sunday 20th May |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion
30th Anniversary: unveiling of the Memorial Stone 20th Anniverary: founding of the Association |
North Killingholme | Saturday 30th June |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 11th November |
2011
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Unveiling of Memorial | Rebecq, Belgium | Saturday 7th May |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 2nd July |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 13th November |
2010
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Services | Westerlo, Belgium | Saturday 22nd May & Sunday 23rd May |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 3rd July |
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 2nd July - Sunday 4th July |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 14th November |
2009
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 4th July, 12:00 - 16:30 |
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 3rd July - Sunday 5th July |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 8th November |
2008
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial service, Westerlo | Westerlo, Belgium | Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th May |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 5th July, 12:00 - 16:30 |
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 4th July - Sunday 6th July |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 9th November |
2007
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, unveiling of the Phantom of the Ruhr, Lancaster EE139 | RAF Coningsby | Friday 27th April, 10:30-16:00 |
| Association photo in front of the Phantom of the Ruhr | RAF Coningsby | Friday 20th July, 14:00 |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion: 25th anniversary of the unveiling of the 550 Squadron Memorial Stone | North Killingholme | Saturday 21st July, 12:00 - 16:30 |
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 20th July - Sunday 22nd July |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 11th November |
2006
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 14th - 16th July |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 15th July, 12:00 - 16:30 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 12th November |
2005
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration F/O G Nye and crew (marking the 60th anniversary of the crash on 3rd/4th February 1945): PD221 |
Westerbook, Holland | Friday 3rd - 6th May |
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 8th - 10th July |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 9th July, 12:00 - 16:30 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 13th November |
2004
| Event | Location | Date/time |
|---|---|---|
| Commemoration P/O Hinde crew (marking the 60th anniversairy of the crash on 21/22 May 1944): DV309 |
Westerlo, Belgium | 22nd/23rd May |
| Hull University weekend & Association AGM | Hull University & North Killingholme | Friday 8th - 10th July |
| North Killingholme Annual Reunion | North Killingholme | Saturday 10th July, 12:00 - 16:30 |
| Armistice Service, Remembrance Sunday | 550 Squadron Memorial Stone St. Denys' Church North Killingholme |
Sunday 14th November |
2003 (and earlier)
Not currently available online