Please allow time for photo's to load
Bomber Command Commemoration Service |
||||||||||||||||||||
St Pauls Cathedral - London Wednesday 24th April 2002 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
On Wednesday 24th April, I had the honour of attending the Bomber Command Commemoration Service at St Pauls Cathedral in London, which was held in honour of the 55,573 airmen who lost their lives whilst serving with RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War The commemoration coincided with the 60th Anniversary year of the appointment of Sir Arthur T (Bomber) Harris as C in C of Bomber Command, the Avro Lancaster entering service and many other major events during WWII |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
About 1,800 veterans
and their families were present at the event, which was
attended by HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales wearing
the uniform of an Air Vice Marshal, in place of his
Grandmother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (Patron of
the Bomber Command Association) who sadly died 25 days
earlier on March 30th 2002 Others attending included:- The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire, GCB, DFC, AFC, ADC, DSc, FRAeS, RAF Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Michael Beetham Squadron Leader, Tony Iveson, DFC, AE, RAF (Retd) |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Passing
through the Guard of Honour, (which was formed by the
Queens Colour Squadron) a procession of Bomber Command
Veterans, with their colours proudly carried by ex
Wireless Operator Peter Lloyd now aged 78. Avro Lancaster PA474 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which had paid such a spledid tribute to Queen Elizabeth's funeral on Tuesday April 9th, made yet another visit to London and flew across St Pauls Cathedral at 12:20 pm. In time-honoured tribute to those who served with Bomber Command, she dropped a wing as she passed overhead to terrific applause from those below. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
The atmosphere was
such that there was barely a dry eye to be seen as the
Lancaster circled and then flew over for a second time to
another resounding round of applause. How different it was this time to 'Go round again' |
|||||||||||||||||||
| In the picture
opposite, Bomber Command author Alan Cooper, is seen
shaking hands with Polish F/Lt Roman Kuvak, now aged 89
(and still able to get into his uniform) who flew with
RAF Bomber Command His medals from left to right are:- Polish Polish Order of Military Virtue 5th Class for services in the field. Cross of Valour for services in the field. Air Force Active Service medal. British Medals 1939 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence and War Medals. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| F/Lt Kuvak told Alan and myself of a raid to Mannheim during which the entire floor of his aircraft was blown away. The temperature in the aircraft was minus 54 degrees. It was only due to the incredible design of the Wellington that he managed to fly the stricken aircraft back to England. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Back | ||||||||||||||||||||
