How Dame Judi's honouring the 'Bomber Boys'
In London’s Green Park, through Doric columns of Portland stone, seven airmen gaze out into blue summer skies. These serene bronze figures represent the 55,573 heroic young men of Bomber Command who took to the air during the Second World War, but never returned.
The Bomber Command Memorial, of which they are the focal point, was a long time coming – partly because of earlier governments’ discomfort about the command’s strategic carpet-bombing of German cities.
Indeed, while Bomber Command sustained devastating losses – a death rate of 44 per cent – flew more than 300,000 missions and won 19 Victoria Crosses during the war, the monument was only opened by the Queen in June last year: ‘You’ve waited a long time for it,’ she said at the time to war veteran and Marshal of the Air Force Sir Michael Beetham.
But as it prepares to mark its first anniversary on 28 June, the memorial has an iconic new supporter – Dame Judi Dench. The actress has become a patron member of the Upkeep Club, a group created by the memorial’s guardian, The RAF Benevolent Fund, for individuals donating £1,000 or more towards its upkeep.
‘I am delighted to become a patron of the Upkeep Club,’ she said. ‘The Bomber Command Memorial, which so nobly honours the sacrifice of the fallen aircrew, has already become a place of pilgrimage for relatives and former acquaintances of the “Bomber Boys” lost during the Second World War.’
It is certainly a magnificent structure. Designed by architect Liam O’Connor, with sculpture by Philip Jackson, the memorial incorporates aluminium from the superstructure of a Handley Page Halifax III bomber.
The story of this aircraft – number LW682, from No 426 squadron – is all too familiar… and tragic. Leaving England on the night of 12 May 1944, it was tasked with bombing the railway lines near Louvain, in Belgium. But it never reached its destination. Somewhere over the village of Geraardsbergen, the bomber was shot down by a Luftwaffe Me 110 flown by a fighter ace named Major Martin Drewes. It crashed in a marsh and all eight crew members, most of whom were only on their first or second missions, were killed.
More than half a century later, however, in 1997, the aircraft was salvaged from the mud. Some of the crew members were still inside – and all were buried with full military honours. The remains of the aircraft now make a fitting addition to the memorial.
Veteran Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE and WAAF Veteran Mrs Igraine Hamilton
Of course, Dame Judi has her own links to the RAF. Her late husband, actor Michael Williams, served in it for two years – although, as she admits, his role was relatively limited. ‘I don’t think he ever took off, alas,’ she joked. ‘Well, he did in my eyes – but not in that other way.’
Nevertheless, she is all too aware of the memorial’s significance for those who want to pay their respects.
‘Veterans and widows, often having travelled thousands of miles, are reminded of treasured friendships and past romance, so prematurely ended, so fondly recalled,’ she said. ‘Through membership of the Upkeep Club, people can directly support the commemoration of those who died for our individual and national freedoms.’
The Upkeep Club – named after the codename for the bouncing bombs of the daring Dambusters raid – certainly needs our support. Earlier this year, the monument was daubed with graffiti by vandals, and £1.5m must still be raised to ensure that it is maintained.
As fighter pilot and poet John Gillespie Magee – who was also killed during the Second World War – wrote, these were the brave men who ‘slipped the surly bonds of Earth… and touched the face of God’. And as Dame Judi has shown, they should never be forgotten.
To join the Upkeep Club, call 0800-198 2400 or email upkeep@rafbf.org.uk
Why we must remember ALL our heroes
By Jilly Cooper
‘Raising money for memorials is an absolute nightmare – as it is for any charity. When I was raising funds for the Animals In War memorial, on London’s Park Lane, everyone said, “Why are you raising money for dead animals, when there are so many live animals – and people – who need it more?”
‘My response was that if it hadn’t been for those animals that gave their lives so bravely in two world wars, you wouldn’t be enjoying the freedoms you do today. Eight million horses died in the First World War, for example. Nightingales and mascot dogs cheered the troops, pigeons sent vital messages. It is important we continue to remember their heroism and their sacrifice – especially as they had no choice.’
The Bomber Command Memorial, of which they are the focal point, was a long time coming – partly because of earlier governments’ discomfort about the command’s strategic carpet-bombing of German cities.
Indeed, while Bomber Command sustained devastating losses – a death rate of 44 per cent – flew more than 300,000 missions and won 19 Victoria Crosses during the war, the monument was only opened by the Queen in June last year: ‘You’ve waited a long time for it,’ she said at the time to war veteran and Marshal of the Air Force Sir Michael Beetham.
But as it prepares to mark its first anniversary on 28 June, the memorial has an iconic new supporter – Dame Judi Dench. The actress has become a patron member of the Upkeep Club, a group created by the memorial’s guardian, The RAF Benevolent Fund, for individuals donating £1,000 or more towards its upkeep.
‘I am delighted to become a patron of the Upkeep Club,’ she said. ‘The Bomber Command Memorial, which so nobly honours the sacrifice of the fallen aircrew, has already become a place of pilgrimage for relatives and former acquaintances of the “Bomber Boys” lost during the Second World War.’
It is certainly a magnificent structure. Designed by architect Liam O’Connor, with sculpture by Philip Jackson, the memorial incorporates aluminium from the superstructure of a Handley Page Halifax III bomber.
The story of this aircraft – number LW682, from No 426 squadron – is all too familiar… and tragic. Leaving England on the night of 12 May 1944, it was tasked with bombing the railway lines near Louvain, in Belgium. But it never reached its destination. Somewhere over the village of Geraardsbergen, the bomber was shot down by a Luftwaffe Me 110 flown by a fighter ace named Major Martin Drewes. It crashed in a marsh and all eight crew members, most of whom were only on their first or second missions, were killed.
More than half a century later, however, in 1997, the aircraft was salvaged from the mud. Some of the crew members were still inside – and all were buried with full military honours. The remains of the aircraft now make a fitting addition to the memorial.
Veteran Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE and WAAF Veteran Mrs Igraine HamiltonOf course, Dame Judi has her own links to the RAF. Her late husband, actor Michael Williams, served in it for two years – although, as she admits, his role was relatively limited. ‘I don’t think he ever took off, alas,’ she joked. ‘Well, he did in my eyes – but not in that other way.’
Nevertheless, she is all too aware of the memorial’s significance for those who want to pay their respects.
‘Veterans and widows, often having travelled thousands of miles, are reminded of treasured friendships and past romance, so prematurely ended, so fondly recalled,’ she said. ‘Through membership of the Upkeep Club, people can directly support the commemoration of those who died for our individual and national freedoms.’
The Upkeep Club – named after the codename for the bouncing bombs of the daring Dambusters raid – certainly needs our support. Earlier this year, the monument was daubed with graffiti by vandals, and £1.5m must still be raised to ensure that it is maintained.
As fighter pilot and poet John Gillespie Magee – who was also killed during the Second World War – wrote, these were the brave men who ‘slipped the surly bonds of Earth… and touched the face of God’. And as Dame Judi has shown, they should never be forgotten.
To join the Upkeep Club, call 0800-198 2400 or email upkeep@rafbf.org.uk
Why we must remember ALL our heroes
By Jilly Cooper‘Raising money for memorials is an absolute nightmare – as it is for any charity. When I was raising funds for the Animals In War memorial, on London’s Park Lane, everyone said, “Why are you raising money for dead animals, when there are so many live animals – and people – who need it more?”
‘My response was that if it hadn’t been for those animals that gave their lives so bravely in two world wars, you wouldn’t be enjoying the freedoms you do today. Eight million horses died in the First World War, for example. Nightingales and mascot dogs cheered the troops, pigeons sent vital messages. It is important we continue to remember their heroism and their sacrifice – especially as they had no choice.’