In 1987, the late Eddie Davidson DFM, the then secretary, launched a campaign to have a memorial erected to remember the 2,200 men of both squadrons who died on active service. This campaign ignited huge interest and the memorial, with the generous help from the Association members, friends and the City of Lincoln, was fully funded and sited in Birchwood, Lincoln, close to the site of Royal Air Force Skellingthorpe, only two years later.
The Memorial was unveiled by our Association President, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir MIchael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC, and a 50 Squadron Pilot in 1944, on 3rd June 1989. This momentous day was entitled Operation Failed to Return.
The face side of the memorial shows the two squadron badges underneath which are the words;
TO THE MEMORY OF THE AIR CREWS AND GROUND STAFF
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES WHILS SERVING WITH
No.50 SQUADRON AND No.61 SQUADRON
5 GROUP BOMBER COMMAND
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
2ND WORLD WAR 1939-1945
Underneath which it reads;
THIS MEMORIAL WAS UNVEILED ON 3RD JUNE 1989 BY
MARSHAL OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
SIR MICHAEL BEETHAM GCB CBE DFC AFC FRAeS
ON THE ORIGINAL SITE OF RAF SKELLINGTHORPE
And at the bottom it reads;
TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WE LOVE
IS NOT TO DIE
The reverse side of the obelisk depicts a Hampden Bomber, Manchester Bomber and a Lancaster Bomber. The three aircraft flown by the two Squadrons out of Skellingthorpe.
The left side has the airfieldS that No.50 squadron flew from with the squadron motto and reads;
No.50 SQUADRON
FROM DEFENCE TO ATTACK
OPERATED FROM ROYAL AIR FORCE
WADDINGTON
LINDHOLME
SWINDERBY
SKELLINGTHORPE
The right side has the airfields that No.61 Squadron flew from with the Squadron motoo and reads;
No.61 SQUADRON
(CITY OF LINCOLN)
THUNDERING THROUGH THE CLEAR AIR
OPERATED FROM ROYAL AIR FORCE
HEMSWELL
NORTH LUFFENHAM
WOOLFOX LODGE
SYERSTON
CONINGSBY
SKELLINGTHORPE
The Squadrons motto is in latin and reads PER PURUM TONANTES, which translates as above to THUNDERING THROUGH THE CLEAR AIR.
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