In the hundredth anniversary year of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), two RAuxAF squadrons have been paying their respects to their fallen ancestors.
Personnel from 607 (County of Durham) Squadron on a training exercise in Belgium took some time out to visit 607 Squadron World War II graves; whilst members of 4624 (County of Oxford) Squadron attended the dedication of new headstones in France for WWII casualties from 624 Squadron.
Members of 607 Squadron Mechanical Transport Flight took time out from their training in Europe to visit the graves and pay their respects to two former 607 Squadron aircrew who sadly lost their lives during WWII. Travelling back from their destination at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where they're taking part in Agile Combat Employment training, personnel detoured to Haverlee and Hotton cemeteries in Belgium.
Presenting in teams, the seven volunteer reservists took it in turns to tell the stories of Flying Officers Cuthbert and Thompson, who lost their lives in separate incidents in May 1940.
Both pilots were shot down over Belgium as part of the Battle of France, a devastating battle, which culminated in the evacuation of Dunkirk and the occupation of France by the Nazis. In a fitting tribute, 607 Squadron crests were laid on the graves of Cuthbert in Hotton and Thompson in Haverlee cemeteries.
“We are immensely proud of our heritage and the part that our former Squadron members played in the Battle of France. It was important that our Squadron personnel paid their respects at the gravesides, especially in the year that we are celebrating 100 years of Reserve service.”
Squadron Leader Deighton
Officer Commanding 607 Squadron
Over in France, members of the 4624 (County of Oxford) Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron attended the 80th anniversary memorial service to honour the brave aircrew of 624 Squadron who tragically lost their lives in 1944.
Personnel attended the service, which took place at Pic de Douly in the French Pyrenees, where a Halifax aircraft crashed in thick fog while on a mission to resupply the local French resistance during World War II.
The Halifax aircraft, tasked with delivering vital supplies to support resistance efforts against the occupying forces, met with disaster in the treacherous conditions, resulting in the loss of six British and one Canadian air men.
"It’s an absolute privilege for the Squadron to be invited back to attend the memorial of the aircrew of 624 (Special Duties) Squadron who lost their lives when their Halifax aircraft crashed. This year is particularly significant as it not only marks the 80th anniversary of the Halifax crash and D-Day, it is also the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which played a vital role during World War II and continues to deliver essential support within the Royal Air Force today.”
Wing Commander Evans
Officer Commanding 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron
This year’s commemoration is particularly significant as it coincides with the unveiling of newly supplied headstones by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), part of an extensive renovation of the remote hillside cemetery where the aircrew rest, where the locals of Haut-Nistos have tended to the graves of the RAF Halifax crew since 1944.
Earlier this year an Atlas with personnel from 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron based at RAF Brize Norton, embedded with movements team from 1 Air Mobility Wing, were honoured to deliver headstones ahead of the 80th anniversary memorial.
“It was a privilege to support this project from the outset, and to work closely with Steve Arnold and the CWGC Horticultural Team in France. It’s easy to underestimate the complexity of the logistics involved in delivering headstones from Wales to the Pyrennes - an impossible task without the efforts of multiple organisations on both sides of the channel."
Wing Commander Ingram
Air Staff RAF Liaison Officer in France
Wing Commander Ingram, said: "A big thanks to 11 Gp A4 Ops, Air Mobility Force, and RAF Brize Norton logisticians for facilitating the despatch from the UK, and to my colleagues in the French Air and Space Force for their (later thwarted) plans to provide helicopter lift into the mountain site. Despite this setback, the plan was superbly aided by the French Army’s 4 Helicopter Regiment Special Forces (4RHFS) who were a key enabler, facilitating the storage of the headstones at Pau Air Base on 25 May and transporting them by road to Pic de Douly on 26 June.”
The CWGC has worked meticulously to ensure that the headstones reflect the dignity and respect due to these fallen heroes. The renovated cemetery will provide a fitting tribute and a place of reflection for families, comrades, and visitors from around the world.
“We are profoundly privileged to be installing new headstones for the aircrew of 624 (Special Duties) Squadron who lost their lives at Pic de Douly in the Pyrenees when their Halifax aircraft crashed due to low cloud cover while attempting to resupply the local French Resistance.
Xavier Puppinck
France Area Director Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)
Xavier Puppinck, said: The legacy of the 624 Squadron and their brave aircrew will live on, immortalised in the hallowed stones cared for by the CWGC. Their sacrifice remains a testament to courage, duty, and the indomitable spirit of those who fought for our liberty. It is our honour and duty to care for their graves in perpetuity.”
The ceremony brought together representatives from the RAF, local French officials, family members of the fallen, and veterans.
“After a year of planning with 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron and local stakeholders, it was fantastic to be at the ceremony with my family on behalf of the British Embassy. I was especially delighted to share the moment with 4624 RAuxAF Sqn, where I first started life as a Reservist before joining the RAF as a Regular.”
Wing Commander Ingram
Air Staff RAF Liaison Officer in France
