Rebecq Commemoration

550 Squadron Commemoration September 2021

29th September 2021

The ceremony planned to take place on the 20th May 2020 in the presence of the Representative of the King of the Belgians, to mark the loss of the six 550 Squadron crews lost in Belgium, and also to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, was cancelled in April of 2020 and re-scheduled for May 2021. Then that date also had to be altered, being pushed back to 29th September 2021.

Finally the day came and it was possible for the event to take place.

The year 2021 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Rebecq Association. As you may know, the Rebecq Association have extended their tribute to the crews of 550 Squadron aircraft to all those who, under the command of the Royal Air Force, fell in Belgium during WWII. Ambassadors and Defense Attachés representing the 14 nations having nationals fallen in Belgium between May 1940 and 1945 had all been invited to take part in the event, and all responded that they would be present. His Majesty the King of Belgium was also represented.

Sadly it was not possible, this year, for any UK representatives of the 550 Squadron Assocation to visit Rebecq to take part in the Commemorations at the Memorial, but a wreath was laid on behalf of the Association.

Our thanks to the people of Rebecq for the wonderful efforts they have made to remember the crews who failed to return home to North Killingholme.

Below is a selection of photographs from the Commemoration Service in Rebecq.

Many thanks to Wilfred Burie for permission to put these pictures on the web-site.

Click on individual pictures to view the larger image.

Several videos of sequences of the event are available on YouTube: