NORMANDY VETERANS' & BOMBER COMMAND SIGNING EVENT - 15th December
We're excited to be joined by veterans who took part in D-Day and the Normandy Campaign PLUS two veterans who served with RAF Bomber Command during WWII.
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Our special guests include:
Able Seaman DONALD WOODHAMS - Ld’H - enlisting in the Royal Navy in December 1942 at the age of 17, Don served as a torpedoman on a number of warships. Most notably under Vice Admiral Sir Philip Vian on the armada command ship, HMS Scylla, in the build up to D-Day and throughout the initial three weeks of the campaign. However during that third week they struck a mine, rendering the ship disabled and was subsequently towed back to Chatham for repairs.
Seaman JIM RADFORD - within 8 weeks of leaving school, at the age of 15, Jim had joined the Merchant Navy. He went to sea as a galley boy on The Empire Larch, a Deep Sea Tug owned by the British Ministry of War Transport and engaged in preparations for the invasion of occupied France. He later joined the Royal Navy on turning 18. Jim is thought to be the youngest known participant of the Allied invasion and as a folk singer graced the Radio 2 D-Day commemorations in 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall with his evocative song ‘The Shores of Normandy’.
Rifleman VICTOR GREGG - originally with the LRDG in the Western Desert, Victor joined the Parachute Regiment and jumped on the first day of Arnhem. Captured on the last day of fighting, he ended up in a prison camp in the centre of Dresden on the night of the Bomber Command raid. Surviving this, after the War, his extraordinary career continued working with both Russian and British Intelligence during the Cold War.
Wing Commander JOHN BELL MBE DFC Ld’H - after training as an Observer he flew his first tour as a Bomb-Aimer with pilot Bob Knight’s crew in 619 Sqn until the whole crew transferred to 617 Sqn flying the famous Lancaster named Thumper Mk.III. He completed a total of 50 Ops', 29 of which were flown on special operations with 617 Sqn including Operation Taxable and he finished the war as an instructor.
Squadron Leader BENNY GOODMAN Ld’H - after gaining his pilot wings his crew were selected to join 617 Sqn where he flew Lancasters until the end of the war. He completed a full tour of 30 Ops’ including missions over Germany, Holland and France as well as taking part in all of the raids against the German Battleship Tirpitz, the Arnsberg viaduct and Hitler's Eagle’s Nest.
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Entry is completely FREE, all we ask is that you RESERVE YOUR TICKET in advance to help us manage numbers and make it relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
Our guests are happy to sign autographs for collectors and items purchased at the event over £60 can be signed free of charge.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
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