It's more than a year since the Bomber Command Memorial was dedicated by the Queen.
As principal benefactor to the cost of the Memorial, it is my belief - at a time when the nation seems more aware than ever of both the value of our servicemen and women - that we as a nation should do whatever we can to maintain awareness of just what our armed forces personnel sacrificed to give us the freedoms we have today.
So when I was asked to present a Bomber Command clasp to Harry Hooper, who, I believe, was one of our youngest WWll Lancaster bomber pilots, I jumped at the chance. Indeed, I was honoured and flattered that his family should approach me to make the presentation on the Memorial itself.
Here is how it was reported in print and on TV:
http://www.caudwell.com/uncategorized/veteran-surprised-bomber-command-clasp-89th-birthday/
Showing posts with label RAF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RAF. Show all posts
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Thursday, 20 June 2013
FLYING IN THE LANCASTER BOMBER IN THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY FLYPAST
FLYING IN THE LANCASTER BOMBER IN THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY FLYPAST.
I had the most amazing privilege at the weekend. Last year I made a £2 million contribution towards the cost of the Bomber Command Memorial in London - a memorial that, quite frankly, probably would not have happened had organisers of the project not approached me for support. It did not take much convincing that I should help out in the creation of a tribute to more than 55,000 young airmen
Out of the blue - literally - as a thank-you for my support, the RAF invited me to fly in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber as part of the flypast over Buckingham Palace for the Queen's birthday celebrations.
As well as being an incredible honour, it was also an amazing insight into what the Bomber Command crews had to endure. While flying through windy and turbulent airspace over London on a June day in 2013 was uncomfortable enough in startlingly cramped conditions, those young men did superhuman jobs seven decades ago in carrying out their missions in the pitch black, with anti-aircraft fire exploding around them, and fighters chasing them down.
Here are some photos from my day with the http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/59769416@N02/9085575167/ Here's the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t87Rpg2o3BM http://www.caudwell.com/
I had the most amazing privilege at the weekend. Last year I made a £2 million contribution towards the cost of the Bomber Command Memorial in London - a memorial that, quite frankly, probably would not have happened had organisers of the project not approached me for support. It did not take much convincing that I should help out in the creation of a tribute to more than 55,000 young airmen
Out of the blue - literally - as a thank-you for my support, the RAF invited me to fly in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber as part of the flypast over Buckingham Palace for the Queen's birthday celebrations.
As well as being an incredible honour, it was also an amazing insight into what the Bomber Command crews had to endure. While flying through windy and turbulent airspace over London on a June day in 2013 was uncomfortable enough in startlingly cramped conditions, those young men did superhuman jobs seven decades ago in carrying out their missions in the pitch black, with anti-aircraft fire exploding around them, and fighters chasing them down.
Here are some photos from my day with the http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/59769416@N02/9085575167/ Here's the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t87Rpg2o3BM http://www.caudwell.com/
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