Brookwood Military Cemetery/Lytchett Minster Churchyard/Glasgow Western Necropolis/ LANCASTER CRASH

After our April commemoration service this year our local newspaper published several articles. One of these was seen by a member of a RAF reservist Squadron, their HAC.

4626 Squadron made contact with us through the newspaper. The Squadron helps the regular RAF with medical evacuations in times of crisis. They are interested in the history of the wartime 626 Squadron which is one of the reasons they've called themselves '4626.'

Last month two Flight Sergeants visited our group of friends in Colchester and presented us with a Squadron shield. We spent a few pleasant hours together and visited the airmen's memorial.

Back in 2013 when the memorial pillar was unveiled we had a buffet afterwards at a nearby PH. We arranged to have some keepsakes printed up which we asked the relatives to sign underneath their respective crew member. This took some doing as I had about 50 of them printed up. (No such thing as a free lunch)! Most of these were given away on the day and over the last few years but I had a few left. We gave Claire and Vernon, the 4626 Flt Sgts, one of these which they have framed.They have now put a picture of this on their Face Book page. Link here

https://www.facebook.com/pg/4626squadron/posts/

Next April all being well we should have some representatives from 4626 Squadron join us to remember the crew of Lancaster UM-K2.

With their recent visit we were quite impressed as Brize Norton in itself is a long drive. Flt Sgts. Claire and Vernon had an even longer day as they first had to drive to Brize Norton from their homes, which involved long distances and then come here.

The Squadron's interest further cements the remembering of the men who died in 1944 and is most welcome.

 

This years commemoration service for the crew of the Lancaster was going to be held on Sunday 26th April at 11.a.m.

It was hoped that we could have held a scaled down service but even this is not possible with the present highly unusual conditions. So sadly this is cancelled for this year.

We will however ensure a wreath and new crosses are placed on the memorial as a mark of respect and continuity of remembering the airmen.

 

On Saturday two people from our group went to the memorial and placed a wreath and crosses there. My friend recited the exhortation and we stood for a moment to remember the crew.

A couple of other people also decided they would like to show their respects and we obviously kept our distances.


Earlier this year I recorded Michael Heath who saw the Lancaster just before it crashed all those years ago. I did this with a view to using the recording at the commemoration service.

Instead I've put the recording onto YouTube. Link here for anyone interested:

 

We held a very much scaled down commemoration service last Sunday to remember the seven airmen.
One of the British crew's relative's was in attendance. A two minute silence was observed.

 

Footage from Sunday 25th commemoration service:

SOGs Lancaster Bomber goes down over Colchester - YouTube

 

We will be holding a service to remember the crew of Lancaster UM - K2 on Sunday 24th @11.a.m. (Safestore 572 Ipswich Road Colchester CO4 9HB).

This year members of 4626 Squadron will be joining us. They are a Medical Evacuation Volunteer Squadron base at RAF Brize Norton. The Squadron are interested in the history of the wartime 626 Squadron and made contact with our group a couple of years back before the Covid pandemic arrived.

Also joining us again will be members of Colchester 308 ATC.

Both will have active roles and speaking parts in the service.

We will have two letters read out that members of the crew wrote and a couple of pieces of verse:

'Vimy Ridge' (part of the poem which we've used from back in 2013)
and 'Out Of The Shadows' by Nora Vassey.

 

Just a reminder of our service for tomorrow if anyone's in the area.

 

Some images from our 2022 Commemoration service.

 

If you look at Post 200 you will see that I mention the loss of Peter Potter. He was a local Bomber Command veteran who served in 626 Squadron and was a replacement after the DV 177 Lancaster crew crashed in Colchester.

After he passed away in 2019 we enquired whether a road could be named in his honour. The local Council of Tendring agreed and awarded him a road which has been called 'Peter Potter Way.'
This is located on a new development in Elmstead Market not that far from where he lived for many years. His road only has a few homes in it but it's something to remember him by. Another road nearby has been named 'Lancaster Way.' So we're pleased with our efforts and grateful to the Tendring Council road naming department.

Later on our former Colchester M.P. Sir Bob Russell (now High Steward of Colchester) suggested we could have an information panel abut Peter nearby. We approached the developer and they agreed to this. We're now hoping that soon both will be installed. The panel will be fairly small but will feature an image of the Lancaster that Peter flew the majority of his Operations in. The same image hung on the wall of his bungalow. He often spoke of his fondness of Lancaster 'F2' which this image shows.

Once we have the road sign and information panel cemented into position we intend to hold a short unveiling ceremony. This will consist of several friends and others reflecting and sharing their memories of Peter. After this two of Peter's daughters will unveil the road sign and panel.

The unveiling will be open to anyone interested and I will post a date, time and location on here when we have things confirmed.

 

Further to my last post the dedication / unveiling will now take place on Saturday 29th October at midday.
Location: Hunters Chase development, Tye Road, Elmstead Market, C077BB.

Link here to the developers website:
Hunters Chase, Overview

You enter the development from Tye Road into Tye Green. By taking the first road on the left (Lancaster Way) go ahead and we are being permitted to park in the developers yard at the end of that road. As you go along Lancaster Way you'll notice there are residents parking spaces on the right so please do not use these. Signage will be positioned.

However I am not aware of any parking restrictions on the Tye Road outside the development.

The event will consist of a brief introduction and four speakers including one of Peter's daughters. Then the two sisters will remove the RAF flags from the panel and road signs.

 

The dedication of the new road signs and information panel for Bomber Command veteran Peter Potter took place last Saturday (29.10.22).

Two of Peters three daughters attended, and one spoke about her father. After several other friends of Peter shared reflections and memories both of the sisters removed RAF flags from the information panel and then the two road signs.

 

For anyone interested in this particular memorial I have recently activated a private face book page:

'Lancaster Memorial Colchester'

 

Our 2023 Commemoration service for the seven airmen of RAF Wickenby Lancaster UM-K2 takes place in few weeks time and will be held on Sunday 23rd April at 11.a.m.

Address Safestore 572 Ipswich Rd Colchester CO4 9HB.

Self Storage Colchester | Lowest Price Guarantee | Safestore

Duration of about 30 minutes.

 

Three of the crew of the UM-K2 Lancaster are remembered on the Nanton Canadian Heritage Memorial wall.

Canada’s Bomber Command Memorial – Bomber Command Museum of Canada

The Story, The Song - The Wall at Nanton

 

Reminder of service for this Sunday.

 

The weather for our tenth anniversary commemoration since the memorial was established was the worst we've ever had, but we had the best attendance (23.4.2023).

Members of 4626 Squadron Brize Norton took part and over 20 Colchester 308 Squadron ATC Cadets. One relative travelled all the way from Dorset and another from Spain where she lives.

We also arranged for a local choir to sing a piece of music two friends wrote some years ago. This is called 'Remembrance' and it was well received.



Some images from Sunday 23rd April here:

 

It is with sadness to report that the other main contributory person who helped establish the Colchester airmen's memorial passed away recently. Roy Tolhurst better known as 'Lofty' to those around him had been unwell for some time and fought a brave battle. He was a great friend and will be missed by a lot of people.

He was at one time active of this forum and wrote some interesting posts.

This was one of his best:23 Years of my k2Y Ambulance. | WW2Talk

 

Eighty years ago today in Colchester North Essex a Lancaster bomber crashed. All crew were killed.

On Sunday 28th we will be commemorating these seven airmen. The service commences at 11.a.m.
Location: Safestore 572 Ipswsich Road CO4 9HB.