The Shoreham Aircraft Museum

It was a delight on Easter Sunday for Shoreham to welcome Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell DFC, AE, who not only kindly signed items for visitors but also shared many amazing tales from his RAF days, especially his operational experiences flying the magnificent de Havilland Mosquito with The Pathfinders of 608 ‘North Riding’ Squadron from Downham Market. He carried out 50 operations over Germany that included 13 raids on Berlin. Notwithstanding how good the Spitfire was with its Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, Colin loved the fact that with a Merlin powered twin-engined Mosquito, he was essentially flying ‘two’ Spitfires – he maintains that he owed his survival in the air to the ‘Wooden Wonder’.

It was with heartfelt sadness that the Museum recently learnt that a long-standing Friend and keen supporter passed away. Den Layell was one of our unsung heroes who was incredibly generous in his donations, especially towards the successful ‘Local RAF Memorials Project’ and despite failing health it was a great joy to see Den attending the last memorial unveiling in September 2018.

As a young Londoner, Den became an evacuee during the Second World War and he held RAF Battle of Britain fighter pilots especially in high regard all his life, hence his keen support of the memorials. Den also never forgot his experiences as an evacuee and he was always happy to share his stories and as a member of ‘The Evacuees Reunion Association’ (now called ‘The British Evacuees Association) Den often gave interesting talks to the public.
Just like the wartime veterans who served and sacrificed so much, Den was from a wonderful generation who helped to keep the ‘great’ in Great Britain. They will forever be missed.

Recently passed away Battle of Britain veteran Flight Lieutenant ‘Bob’ Hughes DFC AE, who served as an air-gunner with the night-fighter Bristol Blenheims of 23 Squadron (the ‘Red Eagles’), was a great supporter of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum and attended the opening in July 1988 and last visited the Museum at Easter 2018 for its 30th anniversary.

Despite the perceived less-glamorous role compared to the Hurricane and Spitfire fighter pilots, Bob always defended the work of the Blenheims during the 1940 ‘Blitz’, as by maintaining patrol lines in the night sky the Luftwaffe bombers were often forced onto divergent flightpaths making it harder for them to find their targets. The 23 Squadron Blenheim crews also did a lot of work helping to introduce air interception radar, which eventually proved such a success in use with RAF night-fighter Bristol Beaufighters and de Havilland Mosquitos.

Post-Battle of Britain, Bob had remarkable experiences as an air-gunner, surviving two tours on bomber operations, both in North Africa and Occupied Europe and spells as an instructor. Whilst serving at RAF Pershore as a gunnery instructor, Bob took part in the second ‘Thousand Bomber Raid’ on Essen, when to make up the numbers, Bomber Command had to draw upon personnel and aircraft from training units. Having flown in Vickers Wellingtons during his two bomber tours, Bob’s last op’ was in a 50 Squadron Avro Lancaster that was meant to bomb the ‘Big City’ – Berlin. He hadn’t ever been on a trip to the German capital city, so was keen to go and poke Hitler in the eye even though the Lancaster crew weren’t overly pleased to be heading to the heavily defended target. But on route the Lancaster had to divert to the secondary target of Magdeburg, so Bob still didn’t get to add ‘Berlin’ to his logbook; however, on the return from Magdeburg, the pilot of the Lancaster did divert again to get within sight of Berlin so Bob could at least get a glimpse of the city from the air, much to the protest of the other crewmembers. For his outstanding service, Bob received a well-deserved Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bob will not be forgotten.

Having previously honoured Battle of Britain pilots from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the Shoreham Aircraft Museum ‘Local RAF Memorials Project’ has now dedicated a memorial to ‘One of The Few’ from Poland. A magnificent stone memorial was unveiled on 29th September 2018 to honour Flying Officer Ludwik Paszkiewicz VM, KW & DFC, of 303 ‘Polish’ Squadron. He lost his life on 27th September 1940, when his Hawker Hurricane was shot down and crashed on Crowhurst Farm, Plaxtol, near Borough Green in Kent. The dedication service was well attended including representatives from the ‘Polish Airmen’s Association UK’, ‘Polish Air Force Memorial Committee’ and ‘The Children of 303′. The service included a superb and poignant tribute flypast by the Hurricane from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar flown by Clive Denney.

As part of its ‘Local RAF Memorials Project’, which seeks to pay tribute to ‘The Few’ who lost their lives within a 10 mile radius of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum, a stone memorial was unveiled on 23rd September 2017 to honour Sergeant Pilot Jack Hammerton of 615 ‘County of Surrey’ Squadron. He lost his life on 6th November 1940, when his Hawker Hurricane crashed at Noah’s Ark, near Kemsing in Kent. The dedication service concluded with a tribute flypast by the Hurricane from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar flown by Clive Denney.

It is with much sadness that the Museum recently learnt of the passing of Ron Liversage MBE (Mil) who served as an air-gunner in RAF Bomber Command during WW2. Ron first visited Shoreham in the summer of 2012 and he then became a regular visitor supporting many fund-raising events at the Museum in aid of the Bomber Command Memorial Maintenance Fund.

Ron was a wonderful character who was both a very proud Scouser and proud of his long RAF service that included flying in Vickers Wellingtons from the besieged island of Malta and with the Desert Air Force in North Africa. He later flew operationally in Europe with the Avro Lancasters of 625 Squadron and his signature adorns the Museum’s Lancaster propeller blade. He remained in the RAF post-war and in 1964 was awarded a well deserved MBE (Military) before he retired in 1971.

It was a privilege for Shoreham to have Ron as a Friend and he will not be forgotten.

It was a privilege on Sunday 6th November 2016 for Shoreham to welcome Joy Lofthouse, a veteran pilot who served with the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Joy flew a variety of RAF aircraft including the superlative Supermarine Spitfire and naval types like the extraordinary looking Fairey Barracuda.

Joy was kept busy signing books and prints and chatting at length in conversations with visitors; artist and Museum Curator Geoff Nutkins, presented Joy with his original portrait painting of her. The day was a great success with thanks especially to Joy, and additional thanks to Mrs Janet Nicholls who provided our special guest and her driver with a comforting bed & breakfast. Museum volunteer Ken Back did a sterling job providing the on-the-road escort to enable Joy to arrive safely and on time at Shoreham. Appreciative thanks also go to all the Museum volunteers and kitchen and tearoom staff who ensured all went smoothly and a thank you too for all those who supported the event in coming to meet Joy.