WWII POW SIGNING EVENT – 13th MARCH

Over 10,000 airmen of the RAF and Navy became Prisoners of War during WWII. Many tales of their escape attempts have become legendary and as we approach the anniversary of one of the most famous, The Great Escape, we are delighted to be hosting this very special event at the UK Gallery.

13 March 2016

For this exciting event we will be joined by the following veterans who spent time as PoWs during WWII:

Flight Lieutenant JACK LYON - a Pilot with Bomber Command, he was shot down in June 1941 on the German /Dutch border and taken PoW. He was moved to Stalag Luft III in April 1942 and played the crucial role as a Stooge during The Great Escape.

Warrant Officer HARRY WINTER - a WOp/AG with 427 Sqn on Halifaxes, he was shot down by a Night Fighter on 22nd October 1943 and spent the rest of the war as a PoW in Stalag Luft VII.
 
Flight Sergeant RON GARD - a Rear Gunner on Lancasters with 463 Sqn RAAF, based at Waddington, he was shot down on his 17th mission over Leipzig and spent the rest of the war as PoW in Nuremberg.
 
Flight Lieutenant JIMMY TAYLOR - served as a Pilot with 16 Sqn on Spitfire Reconnaissance during the summer of 1944. Engine failure on a mission over Germany on 19th November caused him to eject and he spent the rest of the war as a PoW in Stalag Luft I.
 
Air Commodore CHARLES CLARKE - a Bomb Aimer with 619 Squadron flying Lancasters, was on his 18th Operation on 24th February 1944 to Schweinfurt when his plane was attacked by a German Night Fighter and shot down. After his capture he was sent to Stalag Luft III.
 
Warrant Officer JAMES COPUS - as a Mid-Upper Gunner on Lancasters he joined 97 Sqn Pathfinder Force in 1943. On a mission to Frankfurt in March 1944 his aircraft was attacked by German Night Fighters and after being captured he spent time in Stalag Luft I and took part in the ‘long march’.
 

Our guests are happy to sign items for customers and entry is FREE but STRICTLY by ticket only. We are currently taking bookings so please contact us now to reserve your place. 

 

 

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