.jpg)
CLICK HERE
Bomber command memorial gets go-ahead
21 May 2010
A memorial to honour the lives of 55,573 Allied Airmen from Bomber Command who lost their lives during World War II is to be built in London.
Planning permission for the £3.5 million memorial that will be erected on the edge of Green Park was granted by Westminster City Council.
Campaigners who have backed the memorial plans have included the RAF Bomber Command Association, Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb and and keyboard legend Rick Wakeman.
Bomber Command consisted of more than 125,000 volunteers from all over the Commonwealth and Allied Nations who carried out high-risk operations over enemy territory. The average age of the Bomber Command aircrew was 22. The youngest was 18. As well as those who died, more than 8,000 were injured and nearly 10,000 were made prisoners of war. Three out of five airmen would become casualties. Bomber Command veterans are the only WWII Servicemen not to have been publicly honoured in Britain.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It is time the nation showed its gratitude by building a permanent memorial. I support this important campaign to do more to remember those brave men from Bomber Command. Their deeds have not been recognised in the way the heroes from the Battle of Britain have been, but their sacrifices were as great.”
The RAF Bomber Command Association has already raised £15m toward the project and is looking to raise a further £2million to build and maintain it.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Michael Beetham, President of the Bomber Command Association, commented: “We have been striving for many years to have a memorial in central London to recognise the contribution of Bomber Command to victory in World War II, and in particular, the huge sacrifice of the lives of so many of our comrades in achieving it.
“The memorial has been designed and we are now ready to go ahead with all speed.”
Architect Liam O’Connor, who created the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, will design the memorial.
Sculptor Phillip Jackson, (whose work includes the HM Queen Elizabeth Memorial on The Mall, London and The Bobby Moore Memorial at the new Wembley Stadium) is crafting a bronze sculpture within the memorial, depicting seven Bomber Command aircrew.
Other parts of the memorial will be constructed from sections of melted down aluminium taken from a Halifax bomber, shot down over Belgium on the night of 12 May 1944.
The lighting around the memorial is designed so that the profiles of the figures will always be visible against the sky, both night and day. It is due to be unveiled in autumn 2011.
Robin Gibb, CBE said: “This is the greatest news. I’ve put my heart and soul into being a champion of this cause. I had a vision of this monument becoming a reality and now I want to see it unveiled. These guys are heroes – they saved the world and they deserve the best.
Anyone speaking against it should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. The whole world, including Germany, is free today because of Bomber Command’s sacrifice.” Rick Wakeman said: “I am elated. I never had a doubt it would happen. I am surprised it has taken so long, but if it had not taken as long it may not have gained such a momentum of support that it has. I am thrilled to bits that is happening to be seen in the future.
The past has shaped our present. The memorial will help to support our future for all to see.” Bomber Command Memorial donations can be made via www.theygaveeverything.co.uk
21 May 2010
A memorial to honour the lives of 55,573 Allied Airmen from Bomber Command who lost their lives during World War II is to be built in London.
Planning permission for the £3.5 million memorial that will be erected on the edge of Green Park was granted by Westminster City Council.
Campaigners who have backed the memorial plans have included the RAF Bomber Command Association, Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb and and keyboard legend Rick Wakeman.
Bomber Command consisted of more than 125,000 volunteers from all over the Commonwealth and Allied Nations who carried out high-risk operations over enemy territory. The average age of the Bomber Command aircrew was 22. The youngest was 18. As well as those who died, more than 8,000 were injured and nearly 10,000 were made prisoners of war. Three out of five airmen would become casualties. Bomber Command veterans are the only WWII Servicemen not to have been publicly honoured in Britain.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It is time the nation showed its gratitude by building a permanent memorial. I support this important campaign to do more to remember those brave men from Bomber Command. Their deeds have not been recognised in the way the heroes from the Battle of Britain have been, but their sacrifices were as great.”
The RAF Bomber Command Association has already raised £15m toward the project and is looking to raise a further £2million to build and maintain it.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Michael Beetham, President of the Bomber Command Association, commented: “We have been striving for many years to have a memorial in central London to recognise the contribution of Bomber Command to victory in World War II, and in particular, the huge sacrifice of the lives of so many of our comrades in achieving it.
“The memorial has been designed and we are now ready to go ahead with all speed.”
Architect Liam O’Connor, who created the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, will design the memorial.
Sculptor Phillip Jackson, (whose work includes the HM Queen Elizabeth Memorial on The Mall, London and The Bobby Moore Memorial at the new Wembley Stadium) is crafting a bronze sculpture within the memorial, depicting seven Bomber Command aircrew.
Other parts of the memorial will be constructed from sections of melted down aluminium taken from a Halifax bomber, shot down over Belgium on the night of 12 May 1944.
The lighting around the memorial is designed so that the profiles of the figures will always be visible against the sky, both night and day. It is due to be unveiled in autumn 2011.
Robin Gibb, CBE said: “This is the greatest news. I’ve put my heart and soul into being a champion of this cause. I had a vision of this monument becoming a reality and now I want to see it unveiled. These guys are heroes – they saved the world and they deserve the best.
Anyone speaking against it should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. The whole world, including Germany, is free today because of Bomber Command’s sacrifice.” Rick Wakeman said: “I am elated. I never had a doubt it would happen. I am surprised it has taken so long, but if it had not taken as long it may not have gained such a momentum of support that it has. I am thrilled to bits that is happening to be seen in the future.
The past has shaped our present. The memorial will help to support our future for all to see.” Bomber Command Memorial donations can be made via www.theygaveeverything.co.uk
Prime Minister David Cameron adds his support
Heritage foundation founder Robin Gibb with Bomber Command veterans
Registered Charity United Kingdom No 226682 Spain No G54288329