THE TEMPSFORD AIRFIELD BARN REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY
SUNDAY, 12th NOVEMBER 2006

ARRANGED BY THE FRIENDS & VETERANS OF RAF TEMPSFORD AND NO.22 (SANDY) A.T.C. SQUADRON.
With the kind permission of the Countess of Errol.

On the bright, warm and sunny November morning, over 70 people (including veteran Tempsford aircrew) met at Gibraltar Farm Barn on Sunday 12th November 2006, with Edwin Bryce as Master of ceremonies, to remember and to give thanks for the sacrifice and bravery of so many young men and women 60 years ago, who served at &/or flew from this airfield, into enemy occupied Europe.
Our thanks go again to the Countess of Erroll and her staff for allowing special access to the Barn to the veterans and their families on this annual ocassion.

A message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges KCB.CBE.DSO.DFC (former Officer Commanding No.161 Squadron) was read out by Cadet Jade Mullens ATC (recited almost perfectly by heart !)

A poem entitled "No Ordinary Barn" was read by Mr David Kelly.

Cadet Alice Ward laid a wreath on behalf of The Air Crew Association

Mr Tom Croad laid a wreath in memory of his brother Sergeant G P Croad

Mrs Judith Smith laid a wreath in memory of her father Flying Officer A G [Jack] Maskall

Mrs Yvette Pitt laid a wreath on behalf of The Special Forces Club in memory of all SOE agents who were flown from Tempsford and the RAF crews who flew them

Ms Emma Fox laid a wreath in memory of her grandfather Flight Lieutenant H Binns

Mr Derek Eliot laid a wreath in memory of the crew of Hudson FK790

Mrs Kathleen Croad laid a wreath on behalf of 161 [1st Highland] Squadron ATC

Sergeant Adam Durman laid a wreath on behalf of 22 [Sandy] Squadron ATC

Corporal Ryan Surkitt laid the Flight Sergeant G H Williamson RAAF and crew Poppy Cross

Mr Fred Lincoln laid a wreath on behalf of The Friends of Tempsford around the world unable to be present.

Mr Stanley Cordell laid the RAF Memorial Cross

Corporal Alexander Turtle laid the Tempsford Cross

The Revd Barbara Ebeling (Rector of Tempsford) led the prayers.


Last Post was played by Mark Stafferton, of the Sandy Drum & Bugle Corps and after the 2 minutes silence, wreaths were laid in memory of comrades, relations and friends who had flown from this airfield, never to return.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.



 After the ceremony at the barn, many of the families and veterans repaired to the Anchor Hotel, Tempsford for an enjoyable lunch and fascinating conversations.

In the photo on the left, Edwin Bryce (Ceremony organiser) with Mr & Mrs Tommy Thomas. Tommy flew on Lysander missions out of Tempsford over occupied Europe, including the hazardous mail pick-up operations over France. He was recently awarded the Legion D'honeur by the French government.
By clicking on the photo above or any of the ones on the right of this page, a larger version can be seen. We gratefully acknowledge that all other photos (on the right and at the top of this page) were taken Mr M. Temple and were sent to us for this website by Flight Lieutenant Margaret Bell, Officer Commanding 22 [Sandy] Squadron ATC.

Visitors to this website are reminded that the barn is on private property and access is only allowed on special ocassions with the prior permission of the Tempsford Airfield Estate management 		Please click on any of the images
below to see a larger version.












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