Normandy Veterans' Signing Event @ The Squadron, North Weald Aerodrome - 11th & 12th June
We’re delighted to announce our first ever veteran signing event at The Squadron, North Weald Aerodrome, where we’ll be joined by Normandy Veterans to meet enthusiasts and sign items for collectors. There’s also an array of artwork on display and the chance to see wartime aircraft up close!
Veterans will be signing from 11am on both days!
On Saturday our special guests include:
Able Seaman DOUG SHELLEY - serving aboard HMS Milne, one of the biggest M class destroyers and part of the great Arctic convoys, Doug’s crew were part of escort and deception duties during the D-Day Invasion. HMS Milne was one of the large fleet supporting ships around the British and Canadian invasion beaches.
Medic ALEC HALL - called up in 1941 he joined the 181st Airlanding Field Ambulance unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps, Airborne Division. He served in North Africa and Italy before landing by glider in the Netherlands as part of the battle for Arnhem and Operation Market Garden. Here he tended casualties in four of the main hotels which became hospitals and aid stations including Hotel Taffelberg, but was later captured and spent the remainder of the war as a PoW.
Private DON TINDALL - joining the Royal Army Ordinance Corps in April 1944, Don became a driver posted to Donington 29VRD RAOC, a major invasion vehicle depot. In the build-up to D-Day he was posted to vehicle embarkation duties at the East India docks and served loading vehicles on to supply ships for Normandy. In late June, he served with supply vessels to Mulberry B, unloading and delivering vehicles to vital in-land RASC front line resupply depots. Don finished his service with various home front postings, including POW duties and postings with the RAOC and No 10 AFV (armoured fighting vehicles).
Leading Aircraftman BERT WESTGATE - having joined the RAF in 1943, Bert initially trained as a Lancaster rear gunner, then prior to D-Day was posted to Compton Bassett, a Radar and Radio training facility, to undertake tactical wireless operator training. He was then re-posted to Portland, Weymouth, in early June 1944 and crossed the channel to Omaha beach on D-Day +6 with American forces where he undertook radio van operator duties following the 21st Army Group through Normandy, France and into Belgium.
On Sunday we’ll be joined by:
Sapper GEORGE BATTS MBE Ld'H - after joining the Royal Engineers in 1943, George was just 18 when he landed on Gold Beach on the morning of D-Day. He spent most of the following days defusing mines and booby-traps from the beaches and clearing the area where the Mulberry Harbour was due to be constructed at Arromanches. In March 1945 he then went to the Far East where his war ended. George later became National Secretary for the Normandy Veterans Association and Patron of the Normandy Memorial Trust, and was instrumental in securing the backing of the UK Government to build a lasting monument in Normandy to honour all British Armed forces and civilian services who lost their lives during the Campaign.
Corporal NORMAN GRIFFITHS Ld’H - Norman landed on Juno Beach D-Day +4, originally planned for +2. He was an armourer with the Norwegian Fighter Squadrons 331 and 332 operating Mk.IX Spitfires. The squadron operated under difficult conditions from the front line, using constantly changing makeshift airfields, until the Normandy breakout, then through Europe to Germany by the end of the war.
Private VICTOR MACKENZIE Ld’H - joining the Home Guard aged 16 in 1940, Vic went on to join the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Responding to a call for drivers for the Royal Army Service Corps and following extensive training, he landed on Gold Beach in the days after D-Day driving with the Close Support Group, 7th Armoured Division, landing essential supplies and ammunition.
Collect your copy of Keith Burns' new print BY SEA & BY AIR and have it signed at this event AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!
Click HERE to find out more!
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Please remember The Squadron is based on an active airfield - check out this helpful and important map:
