I was extremely privileged to attend a small gathering at the
week-end, a series of gatherings really. Many RAF Squadron
Associations have disbanded in recent years as the numbers of
attendant veterans of the Second World War have declined. 625
Squadron Association held their annual reunion dinner on Saturday
evening followed by a memorial service, and a buffet lunch courtesy
of 1228 (Louth) Squadron, ATC, the following morning. The upper and
lower ages of those gathered around the Kelstern memorial had a range
of about eighty years.
Passing traffic
generally respected the assembly at the memorial which has been
painstakingly restored by dedicated volunteers. Congratulations to
1228 Squadron for their guard of honour and to the priest for his
selected reading and prayer which were totally appropriate to the
reason for our being there, to the gathering and to the setting –
the airfield with its remnants of wartime buildings runways, and
peri-tracks with the expanses between having long since reverted to
peaceful agriculture.
The minor collective
disappointment was that a requested fly-past in honour of those who
lost their lives in the war-time service of 625 Squadron - a main
force RAF Bomber Command squadron - did not materialise. It was sad
that the request had warranted neither an acknowledgement nor a
reply. The BBMF Lancaster is, of course, an icon and to get the
aircraft in the air involves a great deal of organisation and
expense, so it is understandable that a small individual
commemoration could not be accommodated this time. However, it was
far better to have been honoured by the presence of three
distinguished gentlemen who operated Lancasters from RAF Kelstern
seventy years ago, than the aeroplane.
I had the pleasure to
meet Iain Sutton, the son of Frank Sutton, rear gunner in the 625
Squadron crew of Canadian pilot Reg Price. Reg and Frank's crew had
arrived at RAF Kelstern within a day of cousin Jim Ives' own posting
there. It was a great honour to enjoy Reg's company and his memories
of a busy military and commercial pilot's life, recounted with
crystal clarity, modesty and great charm in a calm, no nonsense
manner which, I have no doubt, reflected the attributes which carried
his crew safely through their tour of operations.
Reg is now 93 years of
age, he had flown in from Canada to take in the reunion events before
travelling on to show his son, daughter and son-in law other places
significant to him and his late wife Elsie whom he had met at a RAF
Kelstern station dance within a week of arriving there.
Reg Price DFC and Iain Sutton
Reg assured Iain and me
that he had enjoyed sharing his reminiscences with us (he had, by the
way flown the BBMF Lancaster PA474 on a couple of occasions in 1948,
evidenced by his log-book entries). It was certainly a very great
experience for two middle-aged 'boys' to spend time with Reg, an
unsung hero of the RCAF.
Next time you attend a
BBMF event – look beyond the aeroplanes for the Air Force veterans,
talk to them and thank them – the Lancaster is impressive but is
far outshone by the likes of Reg Price DFC!
