A delegation of four members of the association of the Memorial of Rebecq went to North Killingholme, in England, to attend events marking the 30th anniversary of the foundation of the association of the 550th squadron of bombers of Royal Air Forces a aircraft of which had crashed to Rebecq, in May, 1944.

Further to the erection of a monument to the memory of the British and Canadian airmen died in this accident and to the civil victims of the Nazi repression consecutive to these facts, the Association of the Memorial of Rebecq was born last year. The links between both groups were only increasing and it is thus naturally that the Rebecq’s delegates were present over there, in the center of United Kingdom.

Several strong moments enamelled the days of remembrance: the welcome which the British reserved to the Belgian delegation demonstrated the gratitude which they have for the inhabitants of Rebecq for the important work of memory accomplished. An official ceremony took place in the monument set up near the airfield where from left hundreds of planes to annihilate the industry of German war. Besides the Belgians, about ten veterans having flown with Lancasters during this period were present. These British, Canadian and Australians had made the travel in spite of their old age: they are all more than 90 years old!

The Belgians were also able to see flying the last operational Lancaster in Europe and went to the place where he is garaged to visit her. But the most poignant moment, especially for the members of the 550th Squadron was the one which was chosen as the retrocession of the parts of Lancaster got back by the villagers in 1944. There was, among others, the rudder of the tail which served to transport David Yardley, one of the machine gunners who had been ejected 100m of the plane during the impact on the ground. The Rebecq’s citizens had transported him to the hospital so that he should be immediately cared after there. What had served as stretcher had then been hidden in the bell tower of the chapel of the hospital and was found only in the 80’s. Guy De Braeckeleer, President and Wilfred Burie, secretary of the Association of Memorial of Rebecq thus bring back officially these relics to Jack Harris, president of the 550th Squadron R.A.F.

By way of gratitude, the British offered the flag of the 550th squadron which will be raised in the Memorial in everyceremonies taking place to Rebecq.

It is question to make a flypast over the monument of the Memorial of Rebecq by Lancaster during the ceremony of 2014. The contacts are already taken on both sides by Channel to this end.