REF
27-09-2011, 22:02
Info and links from Malcolm Preston and David Thompson
BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-14963891
RAF Battle of Britain memorial unveiled in Hull
A memorial dedicated to RAF pilots killed in the Battle of Britain has been officially unveiled in Hull.
The Bishop of Hull, Rt Rev Richard Frith led a service and parade through the centre of the city, ending at the cenotaph.
The Battle of Britain parade is an annual event which is to "celebrate and commemorate" the lives lost in the war.
"It's something we should try and remember," Ian Russell from the RAF Association said.
"We noticed there was a space in the garden at the front of the cenetaph for another memorial.
"There are nine memorials in total there but we've never had a specific one for the RAF in Hull and we thought it was time to put this right."
This is Hull:
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Message-Queen-read-unveiling-2-000-war-memorial/story-13358798-detail/story.html
Message from Queen read out at unveiling of £2,000 war memorial
THE Queen sent a special message to Hull's Royal Air Forces Association after members raised £2,000 for a memorial to the war dead.
Her words were read out in a service to mark the laying of a new memorial in Ferens- way for people who lost their lives while serving in the Royal Air Forces.
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275786/Article/images/13358798/3185861.png
NEVER FORGET: Ian Russell, of Hull's Royal Air Force Association, at the official unveiling of its new memorial in front of the city's war memorial in Ferensway. Picture: Peter Harbour
The RAF Association (Rafa) wrote to Buckingham Palace, informing them about the new memorial.
In return, the Queen sent her best wishes to those taking part in the service – which saw the city's first memorial for air forces personnel being unveiled.
Her message said: "Please convey all my warm thanks to the members of the Hull branch of Rafa for their kind message, sent on the occasion of the laying of a memorial stone at the cenotaph in Hull, in remembrance of all those who have served in the Royal Air Forces.
"As your patron, I much appreciate your thoughtfulness in writing as you did and, in return, send my best wishes to all concerned for a most memorable event."
The message was read out by Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding Susan Cunliffe- Lister at a special service at Hull Methodist Central Hall.
Dignitaries, including Lord Mayor Colin Inglis and the Bishop of Hull the Right Reverend Richard Frith, marched with air cadets to the war memorial in Ferens- way after the service.
Wreaths were laid and the new plaque, which is in the small garden in front of the memorial, was unveiled on this year's Battle Of Britain Sunday.
A bugle was sounded and cadets from 152 (City of Hull) and 872 (Hull West) marched and played drums.
The service was watched by the cadets, dignitaries and a handful of veterans as well as members of Rafa.
Ian Russell, 76, public relations officer for the Hull branch, said: "We have never had a memorial exclusively for the Royal Air Forces in Hull before.
"The air force played a very important role in the Battle of Britain and the two World Wars.
"We must remember all our Armed Forces, as quite often, some tend to be forgotten.
"The Rafa has an important role to play and the work it has done, and continues to do, shouldn't be forgotten either.
"A lot of veterans are now in their eighties, so we have to educate the younger generations about what they did for us."
The memorial plaque cost about £2,000, which was paid for with RAFA funds.
It came about after members realised, in 2007, there was not a memorial that specifically recognised the efforts of the air forces.
Other branches of the forces are recognised in the memorial garden, including the Army and those who fought in Burma.
Is there anyone who lives locally able to take some photos of the memorial please?
BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-14963891
RAF Battle of Britain memorial unveiled in Hull
A memorial dedicated to RAF pilots killed in the Battle of Britain has been officially unveiled in Hull.
The Bishop of Hull, Rt Rev Richard Frith led a service and parade through the centre of the city, ending at the cenotaph.
The Battle of Britain parade is an annual event which is to "celebrate and commemorate" the lives lost in the war.
"It's something we should try and remember," Ian Russell from the RAF Association said.
"We noticed there was a space in the garden at the front of the cenetaph for another memorial.
"There are nine memorials in total there but we've never had a specific one for the RAF in Hull and we thought it was time to put this right."
This is Hull:
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Message-Queen-read-unveiling-2-000-war-memorial/story-13358798-detail/story.html
Message from Queen read out at unveiling of £2,000 war memorial
THE Queen sent a special message to Hull's Royal Air Forces Association after members raised £2,000 for a memorial to the war dead.
Her words were read out in a service to mark the laying of a new memorial in Ferens- way for people who lost their lives while serving in the Royal Air Forces.
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275786/Article/images/13358798/3185861.png
NEVER FORGET: Ian Russell, of Hull's Royal Air Force Association, at the official unveiling of its new memorial in front of the city's war memorial in Ferensway. Picture: Peter Harbour
The RAF Association (Rafa) wrote to Buckingham Palace, informing them about the new memorial.
In return, the Queen sent her best wishes to those taking part in the service – which saw the city's first memorial for air forces personnel being unveiled.
Her message said: "Please convey all my warm thanks to the members of the Hull branch of Rafa for their kind message, sent on the occasion of the laying of a memorial stone at the cenotaph in Hull, in remembrance of all those who have served in the Royal Air Forces.
"As your patron, I much appreciate your thoughtfulness in writing as you did and, in return, send my best wishes to all concerned for a most memorable event."
The message was read out by Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding Susan Cunliffe- Lister at a special service at Hull Methodist Central Hall.
Dignitaries, including Lord Mayor Colin Inglis and the Bishop of Hull the Right Reverend Richard Frith, marched with air cadets to the war memorial in Ferens- way after the service.
Wreaths were laid and the new plaque, which is in the small garden in front of the memorial, was unveiled on this year's Battle Of Britain Sunday.
A bugle was sounded and cadets from 152 (City of Hull) and 872 (Hull West) marched and played drums.
The service was watched by the cadets, dignitaries and a handful of veterans as well as members of Rafa.
Ian Russell, 76, public relations officer for the Hull branch, said: "We have never had a memorial exclusively for the Royal Air Forces in Hull before.
"The air force played a very important role in the Battle of Britain and the two World Wars.
"We must remember all our Armed Forces, as quite often, some tend to be forgotten.
"The Rafa has an important role to play and the work it has done, and continues to do, shouldn't be forgotten either.
"A lot of veterans are now in their eighties, so we have to educate the younger generations about what they did for us."
The memorial plaque cost about £2,000, which was paid for with RAFA funds.
It came about after members realised, in 2007, there was not a memorial that specifically recognised the efforts of the air forces.
Other branches of the forces are recognised in the memorial garden, including the Army and those who fought in Burma.
Is there anyone who lives locally able to take some photos of the memorial please?