Bomber Command in Canberra - 1-2 June 2013

[kookabat]

Yes, it's that time of year again. The Bomber Command Commemoration Day Weekend (ain't that a mouthful!) will be held in Canberra on the weekend of 1-2 June, 2013. It'll follow the usual pattern, with a Meet + Greet function under the shadow of G for George at the Australian War Memorial on the Saturday night. Then on the Sunday a formal Commemoration Ceremony will be held at the Bomber Command Memorial in the grounds of the War Memorial, followed by the Lunch at Rydges Lakeside hotel.
A number of Australian (and one or two international - I'm looking at you Max!) members have been at this gathering before - circumstances prevent me being there on the Saturday but I will certainly be around on the Sunday.
Full details on costs and how to register are available on my blog.

Adam
(not affiliated with the organisers)

[ME453]

Can't make it this year Adam I'm afraid - I'll be in darkest Africa on a 5 week safari! The good news is that my trip takes in Zimbabwe, formerly Southern Rhodesia, which is where my father and Max trained as pilots. We're going to the Bulawayo area where they were stationed so I hope to find some of their airfields. But next year..... Well it's either Canada or Australia, with both by 2015.
Max

[ME739]

Hi Adam and Max,

I am seriously thinking of attending this year (only three weeks before the big trip though).
Will just have to get organized !!!

Neale

[K4KittyCrew]

I can make no promises but make no mistake, my Carol & I, will do everything we can to make meet up with you all in 2014.
Of course, this is based purely on us relevant members making their way down to Canberra, with our good ladies / partners.
Max, Neale, Adam, Kerry ( for starters ) ......... we are in need of another photo together!
If anyone else can make it, we would greatly appreciate it because I can tell you now, it would be fantastic to meet with you good people on such a special occasion.
Cheers,
John

Footnote - Bruno, your thoughts on making the trip??????????

[Bruno]

Footnote - Bruno, your thoughts on making the trip??????????

Hi,

Oh yes, I dream to make the trip since a lot of time!

[kookabat]

Though I was only there for the Sunday, it was a highly successful weekend again. Weather was atrocious in the lead-up and the ceremony was moved to the Commemorative Area of the AWM at very short notice - which I reckon turned out to be one of the highlights. The atmosphere was unreal. Hearing the Last Post echoing off the stone was quite special.
And then came the lunch, where I caught up with a lot of people and met a man who was a Mosquito navigator. There's a write-up, again, on my blog with a few photos for those interested:

Adam

[K4KittyCrew]

Many thanks Adam, for posting these details. I'll have a look tonight.
Much appreciated.
John

[K4KittyCrew]

Great write & photo details there, Adam. Hope you don't mind that I've selected one to place here ( sources listed ).
Cheers
John

[PAFG]

What a fantastic photo - humbling and inspiring in equal measure.

Richard