Aviation booklet | Page 43

Bomber Command Memorial In WWII Bomber County hosted 27 of the UK’s 83 Bomber Command stations and a new memorial will pay tribute to its 25,611 countybased airmen killed during the war. The steel 50m tall ‘Spire with Names’ will be built on Canwick Hill with a magnificent view across to Lincoln Cathedral. Some 55,000 aircrew died in raids over Europe between 1939 and 1945, the highest loss rate of any major branch of the British armed forces. Less than one crew in eight survived 50 missions and half of all aircrew were lost before they completed 10 raids. Lincoln’s Spire will be accompanied by concentric curved walls listing names of the men who lost their lives as listed in the Rolls of Honour in Lincoln Cathedral. Alongside the memorial will be a world-class interpretation centre, The Chadwick Centre, to recount the whole story of Bomber Command with individual stories of those who served and of those who suffered. A purpose built Education Centre will have extensive exhibitions, reference library and research portals to provide an enthralling visitor experience. The memorial was the idea of the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Tony Worth, whose father served with the RAF through most of the war. To donate or keep track of progress: www.lincsbombercommandmemorial.com 43