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Remembrance Sunday at the French War Memorial, Elvington, Yorkshire
The TOC were approached by Ian Reed, Director of the Yorkshire Air Museum, to assist in the transportation of a group representing the families and relatives of French Veterans who flew from Elvington during WW2.
The group were invited to attend the annual remembrance service which is held at the only memorial to the French Air Forces in the UK.
"The Gallic ties that bind for the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington are based on wartime history.
During the Second World War, Elvington was the only base from which French-crewed heavy bombers operated, flying the Handley Page Halifax aircraft.
Veterans from these squadrons and their families have visited the air museum on many occasions, through the Amicale des Anciens des Groupes Lourdes association.
There were about 2,000 French personnel supporting 346 and 347 Tunisie Squadrons based at Elvington during the war, and nearly 200 air crew were lost on missions.
Many others were awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses for their great skill and valour during missions made particularly poignant since some of their targets were in their own country.
After the war the British Government donated the remaining Halifax bombers from those squadrons to their French counterparts, and in October 1945 they were flown to Bordeaux to form a major part of the country's new air force - in which at least 20 of the airmen who served at Elvington went on to become senior officers".
Emblem of the Amicale des Anciens des Groupes Lourdes association
Nick Hopkinson's DS prepares for the journey to Elvington
Parked at the memorial
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, French Air Force
and the Groupes Lourdes association
Cars parked at the Elvington Air Museum
Cars parked at the Elvington Air Museum
Bernies "FFI" Wooden Brooch which was made by one of his relatives.
I think that we can expect this to become an annual event!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page last updated: 09/11/2009
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