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THE WICKENBY REGISTER |
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The Wickenby Memorial at the gate to the airfield
As of the AGM on 3 September 2011 the Wickenby Register has sadly closed. A new committee has been set up to be known as "Friends of the Wickenby Archive" whose purpose is to maintain the memory and heritage of 12 & 626 Squadrons, the safekeeping of the Archive and Book of Remembrance, the maintenance of the Memorial and the organisation of an Annual Memorial Service, to maintain contact with the current 12 Squadron and the ATC. The members of the committee are Stephen Turley & Helen Dennis (Wickenby Aerodrome), Rob Glover (former Chairman of the Wickenby Register), Anne Law & Tim Brett (RAF Wickenby Memorial Collection).
Book of Remembrance
The Wickenby Register was formed in 1977 by a small group of aircrew who had served with 12 and 626 Squadron's at Wickenby from 1942-45. Over the next few years founder members Jim MacDonald and Denzil Ede researched the history of the two Squadrons and collected together Operational Record Books, a considerable collection of photographs and a number of Flying Log Books and other documents for safe keeping. These documents form the basis of the Wickenby Archive which will continue to be looked after and added to by the RAF Wickenby Memorial Collection. The Wickenby Register were responsible for the building of the Memorial at the gates to Wickenby Aerodrome and its refurbishment in 2010 and also for the printing of the Book of Remembrance which is housed in the Museum at Wickenby. Over the years a large number of Members, Associate Members and Friends was built up and 32 Reunion Dinners and Memorial Services were held.
Memorial Service 2011
The Annual Memorial commenced promptly at 3pm on 4 September but was unfortunately called to a halt a few minutes later when torrential rain spoiled the event. After a very speedy laying of the wreaths everyone ran for cover, but by that time it was too late and we were all soaked through to the skin.
Although many people had already left for home the BBMF Lancaster which had been delayed on the ground at Duxford due to the weather did eventually turn up and gave us four very low passes.
Two quotes from people attending the event are below:
Veterans of 12 & 626 Squadron at the 2011 Memorial Service
"We were singing the hymn "O love that wilt not let me go" and had just reached the line "I trace the rainbow through the rain" when the heavens opened; it felt like someone had thrown a very large bucket full of water over me. Someone else described it as "like standing under a waterfall."
In the event the Padre sensibly abandoned the service. Those with wreaths or floral tributes stayed just long enough to place them on the memorial's steps before fleeing for cover.
Two hours later, with the sun breaking through the clouds, we returned to stand alongside the memorial where we watched a flypast by the country's last remaining Lancaster bomber, which was returning from Duxford. Once again streams of water appeared, only this time it was flowing down our cheeks as we remembered those brave youngsters who, having volunteered for aircrew during that conflict, laid down their lives in service of their King and Country.
That flypastmarked a very poignant and fitting end for the Wickenby Register."
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A very wet Tim Brett laying a wreath
"we did manage a short prayer and the Silence before the Lancaster came over, and I doubt whether the BBMF have ever encountered such a motley crew: borrowed clothes, last night's party dresses and just plain WET. Group pictures were taken, which should be worth seeing. Not quite what we had in mind, but still.... "
The BBMF Lancaster Flypast
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