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Post by pjw4118 on Dec 4, 2011 14:05:33 GMT 12
I thought that NZBCA needed its own page to keep its activities together. This is the new Association badge designed by Mary Denton of the RAF Heraldic Trust and will be used by the veterans travelling to London next year.  At this stage, 51 aircrew veterans have listed to travel to the Memorial Unveiling on June 28th. We expect a good turnout of families and supporters to join the group as well. The Association has opened its membership to family of RAF Bomber Command servicemen plus aviation historians and supporters. A one off $15 registration fee applies but there are no annual fees. The Association has regular lunches and events, with details sent by twice yearly newsletters. Badges will be forwarded once they arrive. PM me if you wish to join. I would appreciate forum dwellers letting any veterans/families in their area know as well. Our next function is at MOTAT in February to rededicate the NZBCA memorial room. |
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 22, 2012 11:26:21 GMT 12
This Sunday there will be a rededication service in the BC area of MOTAT Aviation at 11 00.
We are expecting around 70 including around 25 veterans. The service is open to the public, but we ask that the seating be reseverved for our senior members.
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 23, 2012 12:17:13 GMT 12
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Post by jonesy on Mar 23, 2012 12:25:28 GMT 12
Great to see this is still going, despite dwindling numbers. My old man was a member back in the 70's and 80's I think, maybe its time I joined up too....
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Post by pjw4118 on Mar 23, 2012 13:01:20 GMT 12
Good man , thats want we want to hear.
Aside from the odd "do" we charter the DC3 for trips and are always made very welcome by the RNZAF when we visit their bases ( see the Whenuapai/ 5 Sq thread. )
We have joined with the 75 Sq Association to have a dedicated Veterans marquee on the flight line at Ohakea on March 31.
Come along and say hello
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 23, 2012 13:52:27 GMT 12
Bomber Command Association is a really awesome group of people. I have been along to a couple of their functions, really good stuff. Well worth joining Jonesey.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Mar 23, 2012 14:19:09 GMT 12
Fantastic work Peter.
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Post by pjw4118 on May 4, 2012 15:12:28 GMT 12
Had a call today from "the media " checking on the frequency of medal scams ie basically theft but under the pretence of taking them for research , or cleaning or they arent worth anything.
Has anyone come across this lately ?
I know that some logbooks and medals have been included in house lot clearances , paid for ,but not much , then on sold at a very good profit. Thats legal but questionable especially when the auction house knows very well what they are worth.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 4, 2012 15:55:07 GMT 12
Why would a researcher want to borrow a set of medals for research? Alarm bells should ring if that is ever mentioned.
I have not come across any veterans who I know to have had medals stolen, but I don't doubt it happens. I have however met several who've had their logbooks stolen, and at least three of them had them stolen whilst they were shifting house and the mover has lifted them, so it must be a known item to target among thieving bastard removal men.
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Post by pjw4118 on May 22, 2012 11:03:09 GMT 12
June 3 is Commonwealth Memorial Day for RAF Bomber Command and a wreath laying service will be held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Representatives of the RNZAF, RAF , RAAF and RSA will attend and the service will be conducted by an RNZAF Chaplin .
If you would like to be part of the service , assembly will be by 1030 at the Armoury on the second floor. Medals shall be worn.
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Post by pjw4118 on Jun 4, 2012 17:06:55 GMT 12
Thirty veterans and sixty friends and family attended the remberance service conducted by RNZAF Chaplain Fl.Lt Erurua. The RAF were represented by Defence Advisor Lt.Col Tim Woodman, Sq. Ldr Dave White and three Air Electronic Officers on exchange, The RAAF by Lt.Tim Oscar RAN, and the RNZAF by W/C Rob Shearer CO 5 Sq.  Commonwealth AirForce Representatives  Some of the BC Veterans attending  Roy Montrowe DFC and Keith Boles DFC, both eac Pathfinder Force Pilots  Hall of Memories Memorial |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 5, 2012 11:21:19 GMT 12
Great photos, thanks for posting them Peter.
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Post by pjw4118 on Jun 13, 2012 19:34:45 GMT 12
Bomber Command Aircrew Veterans for London. On June 2, thirty two veterans leave Whenuapai on a RNZAF 757 for London, they include, Mr Geoffrey Bibby Nav 101 Sir Richard Bolt Pilot 51, 35 Mr Harold (Bunny) Burrows Nav 75, 487 Mr Maurice (Nick) Carter W/op 75,156 Mr Argyle (Bruce) Cunningham Mr John Curtis Pilot 180 Mr Ken Dalzell Nav 75 Mr Clive (Estie) Estcourt B/A 75, 7 Mr Trevor Guthrie Mr John Hyndman Mr David Johnston Mr Hugh (Dick) Lempriere W/op 75 Mr Ron Mayhill BA 75 Mr Jack Meehan W/op 75 Mr Arnel (Arnie) Meyer Pilot 7, 75 Mr John Morris Pilot 75 Mr William (Bill) Petersen PIlot 101 Mr Frank Prebble B/A 635 Mr Donald (Don) Riding Mr Alan Spiers Pilot 75, 7, 128 Mr Ray Tait Nav 75 Mr Jack (Waky) Wakefield A675, 38 Mr Maurice Wells 12 Mr Tom Whyte RG 101 Mr Lou Woodward W/op 218 Also travelling with them is the CAF, RNZAF Chaplin Anthony Hawes and an official party. Veterans Afairs and NZDF Medical staff will also be aboard. After overnights in Darwin,KL and Dubai the boys arrive in to RAF Brize Norton on 24th June. Prior to the Queens dedication service on Thursday 28 visits will be made to Hendon an Runnymede with receptions at the NZ High Commission and a London Mayors Guildhall dinner. On the Friday the team move north for Saturday visits and services at Foltwell, Newmarket and Mepal. The NZ/UK 75. Sq. Ass are holding a dinner that night. Following another service at Ely the party returns home, arriving back on July 6. It will be a great occassion for these veterans to finally be abe to pay their respects to all those mates they lost 70 or so years ago. For those unable to attend and their families, A National Commemorative service is planned for Wellington in September. Pictures to follow.  |
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Post by pjw4118 on Jun 14, 2012 15:04:47 GMT 12
For the sharp eyed not all 35 veterans are listed as some didnt want their names disclosed , a little strange on a Government funded trip , but we now have privacy laws.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 14, 2012 16:08:58 GMT 12
great to see these chaps getting this opportunity. I have met several of them and all were salt of the earth chaps. In fact a couple of these chaps were at our last Cambridge Forum Meet too, so people here will have possibly met them.
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Post by phil82 on Jun 15, 2012 9:02:24 GMT 12
Bomber Command Aircrew Veterans for London. On June 2, thirty two veterans leave Whenuapai on a RNZAF 757 for London.....the boys arrive in to RAF Brize Norton on 24th June. Left June 2nd...arrive Brize 24th? |
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Post by pjw4118 on Jun 15, 2012 9:15:17 GMT 12
They arent going by sea, sorry finger trouble , they leave 21 June at 0900 from Whenuapai
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Post by phil82 on Jun 15, 2012 12:18:55 GMT 12
Oh what I would give to have been a fly on the wall of that flight, and what an honour it would be to do nothing but listen to those guys!
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Post by Tony on Jun 15, 2012 21:19:50 GMT 12
Oh what I would give to have been a fly on the wall of that flight, and what an honour it would be to do nothing but listen to those guys! Oh yes. Totally agree. A shame the "Their Lords" or whomever never saw fit to award a special medal given the horrendous loss rate suffered by the aircrews. I guess this one was better than none - and I personally am willing to fund one for a veteran.  |
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Post by phil82 on Jun 16, 2012 4:28:05 GMT 12
I worked for one of them, as a Wg Cdr and as CAS/CDS! I first met Dick Bolt when I was living -in at Shelly Bay where we tended to make our own "entertainment" on a Saturday night. The theme one night was "Roman" with everyone of us, all junior officers, dressed up in sheets when in walked a Wg Cmdr Dick Bolt who unbeknown to us was staying the night! We had removed all the furniture from the bar so that we could lie around eating grapes etc [yeah, right!] and I was nominated [with a shove in the back] to explain to Dick what was going on . "Not a problem" he say's and disappears to emerge a few minutes later wearing a sheet! There was a crew of an RAAF Canberra parked out at the airport who arrived and did exactly the same thing. Those were the days! Dick Bolt is a lovely guy incidentally, He lives not far from me and I occasionally see him and find it difficult sometimes resisting the urge to Salute! A very unassuming man!
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