Two 10 Squadron Crews Remembered - V-Victor 1945
A service was held at the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Forces Memorial on 2nd March to remember all affected by Operation Gisela - the last Luftwaffe desperate attack against Bomber Command. A congregation of over 70 paid tribute - especially to two 10 Squadron crews that flew Halifax Mk III, V-Victor - and the connection between one of the casualties, Jack Laffoley and 10 Squadron Association founder, Robert 'Mac' McClements.
A stained-glass window, commissioned by Mac's son, Robert, was unveiled by Jack's nephew, Ross Oliver, who flew over from Canada and had addressed the last 10 Squadron Association Remembrance Sunday gathering.
Attendees included Jackie Hopkins who had flown over from the USA to represent her father, Albert Hodkinson DFM, (Association member who just celebrated his 103rd birthday) Bombardier in the Grant crew with Mac. Jenny Kay represented her father, Bill Kay, survivor of the Laffoley crash.
A family wreath-laying ceremony took place at 11.00am Tuesday 4th March at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate to mark the exact 80th Anniversary.
After seeing the BBC news coverage local farmer, Richard Tesseyman invited us to visit the actual crash site. The attached photo shows Ross Oliver standing on the spot, apparently being watched over - I leave the conclusion to your imagination
Please take time to watch the documentary and circulate the link with friends and on social media - we want the story to be known. For the full story please view the following links:
OPERATION GISELA – VIDEO LINKS
YouTube – Operation Gisela, Echoes of a Sacrifice. Documentary, 24 minutes.
https://youtu.be/s2KR3uj1gk4?si=bSq4_StkuZUwt89d
Calendar News 1987
https://www.yfanefa.com/record/11966
Jim Beard was one of those who attended the 10 Squadron Memorial’s November 2024 Remembrance Sunday Service at Melbourne.
In doing so, he heeded a request from the Acting Chairman who encouraged more Association members to come forward and take on Committee roles or otherwise encourage the recruitment of a younger breed of ex-Sqn members and/or their relatives in order that the Association may continue to flourish. Read what Jim wrote afterwards………
Jim Beard
A well-attended Service of Remembrance was held at the 10 Squadron Memorial Melbourne, Yorks on 10 November 2024.
Click on the two pdf files below to read the report and see photos of the event.
Report - Remembrance Sunday 2024
Images - Remembrance Sunday 2024
It has occurred to the Web Warden that Members never get to see the Honorary Life Member Certificates that are awarded ‘for meritorious service’ to the Association’s elite unless they are actually awarded one. So that all members can see the wording on the documents, two images and their relevant texts are shown here for the awards made in September 2024 to Historian Ian Macmillan and Past Chairman Mike Westwood.
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Text For Ian Macmillan’s Certificate
‘ This certificate not only acknowledges Ian Macmillan’s RAF service on 10 Squadron as a navigator and Deputy OC10 in his Flight Commander Ops role in the 1970s, but also recognises in its 40th anniversary year, his later position serving as an Association Committee Member as its official Historian.
In 2015 Ian achieved much acclaim after writing the acknowledged definitive Centennial History of 10 Squadron in his book ‘From Brooklands to Brize’ and later, in his continuing Historian’s role, long after the book’s publication, Ian has repeatedly resolved many varied historical queries posed by relatives of former Squadron members. In so doing, his contribution to the Association’s success cannot be over-estimated. ‘
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Text For Mike Westwood’s Certificate
‘ This certificate not only acknowledges Mike Westwood’s RAF service on No 10 Squadron as a pilot and flight commander in the 1970s and 80s during the VC10 aircraft era, but also his later position as Chairman of the 10 Squadron Association. Holding that position for ten years from 2014 onwards, Mike established a closer relationship between the active Squadron and the Association than ever before. His attendance at many other RAF Service functions, long after his retirement, enabled a wider knowledge of No 10 Squadron to be gained by all he met. He ceaselessly promoted the memories of those who had preceded him on the Squadron and Mike’s contribution to the orderly running of the Association Committee was admired by all. He will be sorely missed as Chairman of the Association in its 40th year. ‘
