Bomber Command Memorial

Hi everyone,  Have not been able to reach you for 10 days because of a technical hitch!!  Have had a very exciting week with visitors coming and going.  Weather variable with last Thursday in London scorching hot where  Amanda and I were privileged to have seats at the Unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park.

We arrived at Victoria Station soon after 9 a.m. It was thronged with commuters amongst whom were many gentlemen of 88 plus years wearing the large hats of the Australian, New Zealand and South African forces and there were other nationalities, also in uniform including, of course, the RAF.

It is not an easy thing to get across London in the rush hour but the London taxi cab drivers had volunteered to drive the veterans and their families to Green Park from the main line railway stations free of charge.  We joined a short queue for a taxi with a most helpful driver and arrived at the Memorial site not far from Buckingham Palace.

On the invitation it said , in view of the fact that there would be a fair amount of walking and standing about, anyone with difficulty in walking should bring a wheelchair. So I invested in a wheelchair!  At the entrance a charming young airman took charge of the wheelchair and we were taken to a marquee where refreshments were provided.  We were then shown to our seats which were about ten rows from the front.  Whilst waiting for the ceremony to begin we were soon in conversation with the people around us all of whom had a story to tell.

The music was provided by the Central Band of the RAF and the choir of  the RAF church of St. Clement Danes.  Flags were paraded.  Members of the Royal family arrived.  First the Queen's sons the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex and his wife, also the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent. They were followed by7 the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Then followed a fanfare from the RAF Band trumpeters.  The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived.  We all sang the National Anthem.
There was a welcome address by the Chairman of the Bomber Command Association.

The Memorial Statues were unveiled by the Queen  -  seven standing airmen who have just returned from a flight.  The figures are beautifully sculptured and are about nine feet tall standing on a plinth. The whole memorial is in white Portland stone and will give poignant pleasure to all who view it.  It brings tears to my eyes just writing about it.

There followed a service of Dedication with prayers, hymns and Bible readings. There was a two minutes silence.

Then after the service there was a flypast of  five Tornados and then the familiar roar of engines as the Lancaster flew overhead dropping hundreds of poppy petals. A solemn but surprisingly happy day.