Air Despatch Tree
The Air Despatch Tree at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.
The Air Despatch Association
Roll of Honour
Many Despatchers and RAF aircrew have given their lives in the service of their country. These pages are intended to honour them.
The burial of Despatchers and Aircrew from the crash of 15th June 1956.
The bodies were later exhumed and reburied in Cheras Christian Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur.
CWGC Cemetery, Catania, Sicily 2009
Alan Batty
Most years Wendy and I, are alone, in this Cemetery of 2135 British and Commonwealth Casualties. Among those killed are two Americans a Nurse(Lilly True and a Warrant Office 1 Yance (USA) Pilot flying with the Royal Canadian Air Force. This year I had a phone call from Master Chief (She is like the base RSM) Rosa Wilson USN, asking if she could join Wendy and I. We were expecting one or two visitors. Imagine our joy and amazement at the USN contribution. Members of their CPO Mess, an Honour Guard/Standard bearer, a Trumpeter (a real Musician), incredible wreaths. We arrived at 0945hrs to rehearse, so that we could perfect the ceremony.
Out of the blue at 1045hrs the Military Chapter of the Harley Davidson Owners Group(HOG) Signonella roared up on numerous machines. They solemnly joined us, with Veterans from the Vietnam War, Gulf War I and 2. With others who were returning to Afghanistan after 4 tours of Duty. They were returning to Camp Bastion next week. It was a simple Ceremony with an Act of Remembrance.
Last year Col Derek sent a wreath to honour the RASC killed on Operation Husky, It arrived after the event, but it was placed “in honour” this year. The simple words, “From All Air Despatchers” was greatly appreciated by Wendy and I, and our USN friends. We we try to Fly the flag in the Sicilian Heartland.
The British Cyprus Memorial Book of Remembrance
An on-line memorial in remembrance of the 371 Servicemen who died on active service during the Cyprus Emergency 1955 - 1959:-
http://www.friendsandrelations.com/partners/bcmt/html/book/book.html