On this foggy Sunday morning, around 70 attendees gathered at the Melrose Farm Memorial, located at the entrance to the former RAF Melbourne airfield. Our association's chaplain, Reverend Kevin Maddy led the service to commemorate all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The standard party from 10 Squadron was joined by the association's new standard bearer, Fred Tiller and wreaths were laid at the memorial by various attendees, including former chairman David Mole.

Our thanks must also go to Mike Wood and his colleagues Ian and Gary who organised and served coffee, tea and biscuits, who look after the immaculate RAF Melbourne control tower and of course to John Rowbottom for letting us hold this event at his farm.

 

OC 10 Squadron Jim Rycroft and the association's chairman Craig Harvey addressed all who stayed for tea in the barn, and Mike Wood was presented with a VC10 book, courtesy of the book's author John McCrickard, for his collection and in thanks for all that he has done and is still doing to preserve the Squadron and the airfield's history. Also, our former chairman David Mole presented to the current Officer Commanding, Jim Rycroft, an item of historic importance to be added to the 10 Squadron silver collection. It was an engraved silver spoon awarded as a shooting prize at Bisley in the 1920s, the recipient being W. E. Staton - probably one of the most famous former Officers Commanding 10 Squadron, R.A.F. For those who haven't yet heard of "Kong" Staton, it is well worth reading his history in the "10 Sqn Records" section about former Officers Commanding No 10 Squadron.

 

After the event, many gathered at The Plough Inn, Allerton, to enjoy a wonderful lunch. A small group also gathered to join a Zoom call with relatives from WWII 10 Squadron crew members who were not able to join in person and surviving Halifax crew member Albert Hodkinson DFM. From the pool room at the pub, a connection was made to Montreal, Florida, Atlanta, Maryland, London and Sussex. Click here to view the recording from that call. This was an offshoot of the documentary Gisela: Echoes of a Sacrifice (click to view).

 

Some photos from this day have been added to the gallery here: 2025 Remembrance Sunday.

 

As we remember the tremendous losses from wars and conflicts, let's close with the airman's prayer that was spoken at the service. It was written by Sgt Hugh Brodie, a RAAF Wellington bomber crew member:

 

Almighty and all-present power,

Short is the prayer I make to thee,

I do not ask, in battle hour,

For any shield to cover me.

The vast unalterable way,

From which the stars do not depart,

May not be turned aside to stay

The bullet, flying to my heart.

I ask no help to strike my foe,

I see no pretty victory here,

The enemy I hate, I know

To Thee, is also dear.

But this I pray – be at my side

When death is drawing through the sky,

Almighty God, who also died,

Teach me the way that I should die.