Modern Air Force pays respect to its heritage

Bomber Command was commemorated in ceremonies across the country where modern Royal Australian Air Force remembered the sacrifice made by our forebears.

CAPTION: Commanding Officers of No. 460, 462 and 464 Squadrons, alongside World War Two veterans at the Bomber Command Commemorative Day Wreath Laying Ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Marina Power.

Members of the public and serving personnel attended the Bomber Command Commemorations to pay tribute to those aviators who made the supreme sacrifice, and to all those men and women who served in Bomber Command, to ensure that their magnificent deeds in the 1939 – 1945 conflict are never forgotten.

The year 2022 marks the 80th anniversary since Royal Australian Air Force squadrons joined combat operations with the Royal Air Force”s (RAF) Bomber Command in the Second World War.

In honour of this momentous anniversary, on Saturday June 4, the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, was dedicated to the reading of a story of an aviator serving under Bomber Command.

This was followed by a Bomber Command Commemorative Day Wreath Laying Ceremony on Sunday June 5, on the grounds of the Australian War Memorial.

The event was hosted by the Bomber Command Commemorative Day Foundation in conjunction with the Australian War Memorial in honour of about 10,000 Australian who aviators served with the Royal Air Force Bomber Command in Australian and composite squadrons in RAAF or RAF uniforms, 3,500 of whom lost their lives in the conflict.

Commanding Officer No. 460 Squadron, Wing Commander Anthony Cullen, said that it is always such a privilege to meet and speak with the veterans of Bomber Command.

“Sadly, with each passing year, we see less and less veterans and hear less and less stories of their incredible acts of bravery and feats of courage. That is why hearing their stories read-out during the dedicated Last Post Ceremony is so special and moving,” Wing Commander Cullen said.

The event was attended by Bomber Command veterans Dr Max Barry OAM and Squadron Leader Angus Cameron (retired) and Dr Ron Houghton DFC Ld’H who laid a wreath as part of the Ceremony.

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