10 SQN SECTION IN FRENCH MUSEUM AT NORMANDY
Ken Beard, a former 10 Squadron 1944 Halifax Tail Gunner, passed away on 5 July 2019, aged 97.
His son Jim has kindly donated his father’s RAF Flying Log Books, medals and uniform to a Museum at Ver-sur-Mer on the Channel coast in Normandy. The America-Gold Beach Museum is within walking distance of the new British remembrance site at Ver-sur-Mer which is due to open soon. Visitors to the Museum with its links to 10 Sqn, may now proudly see items relating to the Squadron’s support of the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944 at Gold beach which involved the bombing of gun battery targets, not far away at Mt Fleury.
Jim is to congratulated in sourcing those few remaining items needed to complete the display in this uncertain Covid-19 year. When travel restrictions lift in the future, the Museum should be on your list of places to see in Normandy and Fg Off Ken Beard may then be remembered for his 1944 contribution as will Flt Lt ‘Homer’ Lawson, the 1944 10 Sqn navigator, father of our member Susanne Pescott who has also donated items to the display.
For Further information see a previous Crewroom link here:
RECORD BREAKERS
A Voyager aircraft, flown by an RAF Reservist AirTanker crew, broke the former 10 Squadron-held record from the UK to the Falkland Islands during the first week of June 2020. The journey of 6,834 nautical miles was completed in 15 hrs 9 mins, breaking the previous record which had been set by a 10 Sqn VC10 aircraft in December 1987. ( See From B2B pages 250-251 )
The Voyager flight left Brize Norton at 18:00 hrs local time and, after a short turnround at Mt Pleasant, returned to the UK on 5 June breaking the return leg record in a time of 13 hrs 22 mins.
See these links to the RAF MoD and AirTanker websites reporting the achievement: RAF NEWS AirTanker
Article written by
Susanne Pescott
10 Sqn Assoc Member and daughter of Flt Lt ‘Homer’ Lawson - 10 Sqn Navigator 1944
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I have been working as a volunteer for the International Bomber Command Centre for the past 2 years, interviewing veterans across the North West of England to capture their stories for the digital archives which will be available for everyone to hear, thereby ensuring that these stories are retained and treasured for ever. It is hoped that once fully complete, the Centre will give the true recognition that our ‘Bomber Boys’ so thoroughly deserve.
Plan view of the IBCC
I have had the privilege to interview crew members from all aircraft types that were involved and have heard some amazing stories but I always have a soft spot for any 10 Squadron veterans, as it brings to life my Dad’s time during those WW2 years which, like so many others, he later never spoke about.
The Centre is now open but the interviews are all still being transcribed before finally being uploaded for everyone to listen to. There are over 800 interviews from volunteers all over the world.
Jan 2018 Visit to IBCC
On a cold but sunny day late in January 2018, a pre-opening event for WW2 veterans was held at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.
I went along with Sgt Jeff Brown, an ‘Operation Manna’ veteran, to meet up with our own 10 Squadron air gunner Warrant Officer Robert 'Mac' McClements and his wife Iris, who herself was a 4 Group ROC plotter.
Around 50 veterans had been invited to 'test' the facilities and give feedback before the official opening later this Spring. After a walk through the timeline displays and videos it was time for lunch and a catch up with fellow veterans. Whilst chatting I found that there were another two 10 Sqn veterans also attending:
Flight Lieutenant George Dunn DFC who did 2 trips as 2nd pilot from Melbourne on 3 and 4 April 1943 before being posted to 76 Sqn.
Hugh Lorimer OBE who served in 1944 and flew on some of the same operations as Mac and also my father. Hugh later went on to be a wing commander in the RAF and completed over 37 years service.
It was great to see them all together catching up on the old times and particularly pleasing for me to get some of our "Halifax Boys" involved in a predominantly Lancaster-dominated Lincolnshire event!
It was then time to pay respects to fellow bomber crew members with a walk to the Memorial Spire, Britain's tallest war memorial, unveiled in October 2015.
The Spire
Below are two photos of the day. Hopefully they will all be together again at the official IBCC opening on 12 April this year when I hope we can get even more 10 Squadron veterans together.
Aircrew and families reunited at the IBCC Lincoln - January 2018
'Mac' McClements and George Dunn catch up on the past 70 yrs
The Bomber Command Clasp
It was announced, on 26 February 2013, by the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois that all the details had been confirmed for the Arctic Star and the Bomber Command Clasp and the application process is now in progress. This follows Sir John Holmes’ independent medal review and the announcement by the Prime Minister, on 19 December 2012, that these awards should be made in recognition of the great bravery of those who contributed to two very significant campaigns of World War Two.
Her Majesty The Queen approved designs for the new awards on the basis of recommendations made by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee. The design for the Arctic Star is based on the other World War II Stars and the Bomber Command Clasp, to be worn on the ribbon of the 1939 to 1945 Star, follows the design of the Battle of Britain Clasp.
Production of the new Arctic Star and Bomber Command clasp could result in up to a quarter of a million veterans, and the families of those who have sadly died, applying to receive the new awards in recognition of their unique contribution protecting Britain during World War II. Priority in issuing the awards is given to veterans and widows but other next of kin, having also applied, may have to wait a considerable time to receive their award due to overwhelming demand.
Impression of the Clasp on the ribbon of the 1939-45 Star medal
Please Note:
The Air Crew Europe Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in WW2. Specifically, the medal was awarded to Commonwealth aircrew who participated in operational flights over Europe, from UK bases. Two months operational flying was required between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944 in order to qualify.
The 1939 - 45 Star must have been earned before commencing qualifying service for the Air Crew Europe Star. From 6 June 1944, operational flying over Europe qualified aircrew for the France & Germany Star.
British uniform regulations stipulated that neither the Atlantic Star nor the France & Germany Star, would be awarded to a recipient of the Air Crew Europe Star. Subsequent entitlement to the Atlantic Star or the France and Germany Star was denoted by the award of the appropriate clasp to the Air Crew Europe Star.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE BOMBER COMMAND CLASP TO THE 1939 - 45 STAR
A Clasp to the 1939-45 Star is granted to the aircrew of Bomber Command who served for at least sixty days, or completed a tour of operations, on a Bomber Command operational unit and flew at least one operational sortie on a Bomber Command operational unit from 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945, inclusive. The award of the Clasp is to be denoted by a silver rose Emblem when the ribbon alone is worn.
Eligibility is extended to those members of Bomber Command aircrew who did not meet the qualifying criteria due to service being brought to an end by death, wounds or other disability due to service, service marked by a gallantry award or taken as a prisoner of war.
Foreign nationals commissioned or enlisted into British or, the then, Dominion Air Forces (e.g. Royal Canadian Air Force or Royal Australian Air Force) are eligible provided the individuals did not receive a similar award from their own Government.
Eligibility to the Bomber Command Clasp has no effect upon eligibility for World War II recognition previously awarded and does not suggest automatic eligibility for any further awards.
For Further information .......Click here MoD Medal Office
and more general information regarding medal qualifying criteria can be found here:
or Veterans UK
