Hi all Just to let you know I have emailed the link to the secretary of 75 (NZ) Sqn, Sgt Glen Turner (RNZAF) and also sent Tiny an email to say thank you. Dee
Thank you very much Dee, I recieved your Mail and we will give it to Tiny at the 4th of May 2010 when there will be a commemoration. If all goes well there will be TV stations and also RAF Bomber command. Thanks also for forwarding the link..highly appreciated. Ron
Ronald you might like to contact Sgt Glen Turner (new zealand branch) direct on 75SQN.ASSNZ@windowslive.com or Kevin King (UK branch) on kevinfking@talktalk.net about it aswell. Dee
As a serving member of the RAF, I have added my thanks to Tiny. I would have done earlier had I noticed the thread; there was (and I am sure that I speak for my comrades) no intent to ignore this request. Roxy
Thank you all who have taken the time to thank Tiny, the commemoration at the grave of Flt/Sgt Henry Hiscox will be the 4th of May and the ''thank yous'' will be presented to her. She will also go to Soesterber Airfield where there will be an official meeting with RAF Bomber Command and some VIPS. Again, thank you all, not one single grave shall be forgotten guys!!!!! Ron
I have just come across the detail of this post and the everlasting dedication of Tiny Claessen to attend to one of our Bomber Command graves.Sincere thanks to Tiny and her family for her dedication in caring for F/S Hiscox's grave since the war's end. I would think here should be an account of the May 4th proceedings in the Bomber Command Association Newsletter No 60 and also a report by the RAFA. CWGC do not have to be too concerned over the care of these isolated graves.Local people remember the sacrifice of the British nation and have shown their thanks in treating these graves as family graves as Tiny has done. I was also impressed with the care of the RAF graves on the Ile de Noirmoutier where our fallen from air operations against German U Boat bases are buried.Each All Saints Day (November 1st), when it is a French custom to make special visits to family graves,the locals also adorn the RAF graves with flowers.Many of these graves carry ceramic plaques entitled "Regrets" placed there by the locals. Regarding Mepal.When visiting the site and referring to the wartime layout,I concluded that there must have been a tremendous impact on the villages of Mepal,The Grove and Sutton as the airfield enveloped the villages.The road between Ely and Chatteris was closed and had a runway transversing it.This closure must have required large detours between the these two fenland towns.Additionally the Old Bedford river,running south west to north east forms a boundary to seal off Mepal. There is a pub in Sutton which has a decent display of wartime photgraphs of No 75 (NZ) Squadron and those who served at Mepal.Worth visiting for a pint and viewing of RAF history.The airfield was recovered enough during 1959-1963 to accomodate a single RAF squadron equipped with 3 Thor missiles. Here is a photgraph of the No 75 NZ Squadron memorial at Mepal.From the memorial, through the now removed dispersals, roughly at the intersection of two runways is now situated a 40mw straw burning power plant.Hardly now recognised as an a former airfield.
Here are 3 pictures from Soesterberg Airbase. Tiny with Air Commodore Charles Clarke OBE http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=139&pictureid=2048 Tiny with 3 Vets (Former Air Gunners) and she received a painting signed by the Vets. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=139&pictureid=2049 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=139&pictureid=2050 Ron.....
What a lovely lady! So nice to see her and able to put a face with a Name!! Thanks again, Tiny!! I hope you made some more friends!
Okay, the thread is almost at its end, it might get boring, sorry, had to post this... Touching loyalty of Dutch woman who has tended to grave of British airman she never knew for 45 years | Mail Online Ron
Okay, the thread is almost at its end, it might get boring, sorry, had to post this... Touching loyalty of Dutch woman who has tended to grave of British airman she never knew for 45 years | Mail Online Ron Thanks Ron, what devotion. Fantastic story.
Saw this in Fridays edition of The Sun. All the best.............. Woman spent 45 years caring grave of hero British airman | The Sun |News|Campaigns|Our Boys
