Bomber Command Tribute

The Queen was in Green Park today with several members of her family, to dedicate a new memorial to the airmen of Bomber Command who died during World War II.

Photo: PA

Built in Portland stone and designed by Liam O’Connor, the memorial features a bronze 9 foot high sculpture of seven aircrew and remembers the sacrifice and bravery of over 55,000 RAF crew who lost their life in the conflict

The campaign to secure recognition for the bravery of Bomber Command was begun by the Bee Gees musician Robin Gibb, who sadly lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. 

Photo:  Guardian

Due to the very sensitive nature of the operations of Bomber Command, they were not mentioned by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill in his victory speech and there were no campaign medals.  However, without the determination and ultimate sacrifice from these men, the outcome of the war would have no doubt been significantly different.  The horror and destruction of the campaign has been addressed, by the inscription of a message of reconciliation and tribute to people of all countries who lost their life during World War II.

At the ceremony, were more than 6,000 veterans and families joined by airmen from the Commonwealth and other Allied countries who served alongside the British crew. The morning ended with a flypast by a Lancaster Bomber, scattering thousands of red poppies as a message of remembrance.

Photo:  AFP/Getty Images