Uncategorized

2018 Meet and Greet function, Toorak RSL “Heroes Club”

bccavic Uncategorized

Our annual meet and greet cocktail function was well attended this year and included several former Bomber Command veterans.

It’s a great opportunity to meet veterans, contributors to our Shrine commemorative ceremony and committee.

Chairman Paul Dipnall spoke of the activities of our association throughout the past year.

Our thanks goes to those  everyone who attended and also the president of the Toorak RSL, Mike Fogarty for providing us with this excellent venue.

Marie White, Lawrie Larmer and Ralph White.
Lawrie Larmer trained as a pilot at 11 EFTS Benalla and gained his wings in Canada on Cessna Cranes before being posted to England to join Bomber Command. He completed 5 operational sorties on Halifax aircraft with Australian 466 Squadron.
Ralph White also learnt to fly on Tiger Moths at Benalla and was posted to Mallala in South Australia where he was awarded his wings flying Avro Ansons. He too was posted to Bomber Command in England where after flying Wellingtons at 21 OTU, Litchfield was posted to fly the Halifax with 192 Squadron involved in special duties disrupting the German defences during bombing operations.

Chairman Paul Dipnall with Squadron Leader Derek Fox. Derek is part of the RAAF Point Cook Museum flight and led the formation of CT4 and Winjeel aircraft at our Shrine ceremony.

Paul Dipnall with Reverend John Brownbill OAM. John, a Korean War veteran presents the dedication address each year at our Commemoration service at the Shrine.

RAF 100th celebration at Government House Melbourne

Image bccavic Uncategorized

BCCAV Committee members were invited to a RAF centenary celebration morning tea at Government House, Melbourne, hosted by The Honourable Linda Dessau AC.

The gathering was also addressed by British Consul General Christopher Holtby OBE who spoke of his grandfather’s association both with Bomber Command and Australia as he was involved with the ‘Highball’ bouncing bomb trials which took place at Narromine in Australia. The Highball was a smaller version of the bouncing bomb to be delivered by Mosquito aircraft in an anti-shipping role but the war’s end precluded its use.

Committee members Jan Dimmick, Paul Dipnall and Ros Buzza

Governor Linda Dessau greets a former RAF missile specialist.

ANZAC Day Melbourne march 2018

Image bccavic Uncategorized

BCCAV was again privileged to represent and pay tribute to the veterans of Bomber Command in the 2018 Melbourne ANZAC Day march held under grey skies. Also included are some images of Bomber Command related banners.

Chairman Paul Dipnall leads a contingent of Australian Air League cadets from the Niddrie Squadron along St.Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance.

On the steps of St.Paul’s Cathedral waiting to form up.

Chairman Paul Dipnall and Vice-Chair Jan Dimmick along with two of her grand-children Charlie in the uniform of Carey Baptist Grammar School and Anabelle in Geelong Grammar School uniform.

The iconic Flinders Street Station at the start of the march.

Justin Camilleri, Training Officer Australian Air League Niddrie Squadron

A flying tribute by CT4s, Winjeels and a Harvard from the RAAF Museum, Point Cook.

Pathfinder Force banner.

Odd Bods U.K. Association banner.

460 Squadron RAAF banner.

467 and 463 Squadron banner.

Kew ANZAC Day ceremony 22 April 2017

Image bccavic Uncategorized

A magnificient community event was held at Kew on Sunday April 22nd in the lead up to ANZAC Day. Bomber Command Commemorative Association were proud to be involved with students from Carey Baptist Grammar and Australian Air League cadets from the Niddrie Squadron.

BCCAV Chairman Paul Dipnall with Air League cadets outside the Kew RSL.

The march proceeded down Cotham Road to the Kew Cenotaph with both the cadets and Carey students.

Opposite the Kew Cenotaph.

 

Photographs courtesy of Justin Camilleri.

Bomber Command Commemorative Day Canberra, Sunday 3rd June 2018

bccavic Uncategorized

The weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of June 2018 heralds another important weekend of commemoration for those who served in Bomber Command as ground crew or flight crew.

It also serves to recognise the surviving veterans of WWII Bomber Command.

The weekend commences with the Last Post Ceremony on Saturday night at 4.55 pm when the Australian War Memorial will commemorate another RAAF member from the Bomber Command squadrons. This live service at the Memorial is a most moving event which is highly recommended to attend.

The Foundation will then host an informal Meet & Greet at the QT Hotel.

The traditional Sunday morning service and wreath laying commencing at 11.00 am at the Memorial will be followed by the traditional luncheon at the QT Hotel.