Reunion 2024
550 Squadron Association Reunion 2024
Photographs from the Association Reunion held in North Killingholme 12 - 13 July 2024.
Many thanks to all in North Killingholme who, as always, helped ensure that the weekend was a success. Flags and bunting adorned the village, and the Memorial Stone and surrounding area were also suitably flagged. Thanks also to all the Association members and others who attended from all over the UK, Ireland and Australia, to make it a memorable weekend.
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Anniversaries
The reunion takes place in a year of anniversaries in the life of the Squadron and the Association:
- 80th anniversary of the beginning of operations from North Killingholme
- 80th anniversary of D-Day, in which 550 Squadron played a leading role, the F/O Bowen-Bravery crew opening the attack on 5th June 1944 in 550 Squadron Lancaster LL811/J-Jig
- 31st anniversary of reunions in North Killingholme (the first having been held at the RAF Museum, Hendon in 1992).
Reunion Weekend Welcome Pack
| Document | Description |
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Reunion Weekend Friday 12th - Saturday 13th July: Booking Form |
Friday Evening, Dinner at the Ashbourne (informal)
Visitors sit down to an informal meal at 8 PM.
Saturday
"RAAF" Memorial Bench
Photos from the North Killingholme Village Green where a new "RAAF Memorial" bench was unveiled and an old bench renewed and re-dedicated.
The new "RAAF Memorial" bench was unveiled by John Arnold who said a few words about the remembering of the many RAAF aircrew who flew from RAF North Killingholme. A blessing on all who will in future years use it was said by Rev. Trevor Riess
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A plaque on the bench carries a dedication to S/Ldr E L Pickles DFC and Bar (Flight Commander B Flight), and all of the RAAF men who served in RAF 550 Squadron.
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John Arnold (left in the photos below) and Tim Vance (right in the photos), both sons of RAAF airmen (F/Sgt J W Arnold (W/Op), F/Sgt J H Vance (Pilot) respectively), braved the somewhat cold and definitely very wet North Killingholme for the unveiling ceremony.
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In addition the "Sam and Pam Lipfriend" bench on the green for many years, and much the worse for wear and the weather, was replaced and also blessed by Rev. Riess.
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Parade to Memorial Stone
The parade to the Memorial stone was, as ever, led by the Immingham Air Training Corps Band.
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Service At the Memorial Stone
A short service at the Memorial Stone was followed by two minutes silence and the laying on wreaths and placing of poppy crosses.
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Laying of the Wreaths At the Memorial Stone
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Remembrance Service in St Denys' Church
Peter Coulter welcomed everyone to the service on behalf of the Association, including visitors from far (very far!) and wide, and gave a brief summary of the events attended in 2024 by the Association.
The service was led by The Revd. Trevor Riess.
| Document | Description |
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Welcoming Speech and summary of significant anniversaries and events for the Association |
Tea in the Village Hall
Following the service everyone adjurned to the Village Hall for tea and cakes.
Saturday Evening, Reunion Dinner, The Ashbourne Hotel
Visitors assembled for dinner on Saturday evening at 7.30 PM for 8PM.
About 30 people in total sat down for dinner. After dinner George Turner said a few words of welcome, and then made the toasts (listed in the Reunion Dinner card below).
The slide set displayed over the weekend and during the dinner is shown below (this will download and need MS Powerpoint (MSOffice), or at least a Powerpoint reader, in order to be viewed). During and after the dinner a collection of photographs, then and now, was displayed and attracted a lot of attention and discussion.
| Document | Description |
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Reunion Dinner 2024, Menu Card and Toasts |
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550 Squadron and RAF North Killingholme Association
MS Powerpoint Slide Set NB: very large document (ca. 6Mbytes) - may take a long time to download depending on the speed of your internet connection. |
Sunday Morning
Airfield Tour
At 10AM on Sunday morning George Turner took a number of visitors for a guided tour of the airfield. The diary entry for this in the John Arnold diary is included in the October 2024 newsletter (due to be published shortly).
Sunday Afternoon
International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC)
In the afternoon John Arnold visited the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, and sent the following photos from the visit.
The Memorial Spire. At the heart of the IBCC are the Memorial Spire and Walls of Names. |
A bomber crew returning with Lincoln Cathedral in the background |
RAF North Killingholme tree |