Out of the DV Window

Another year, another reunion, - oh, and another government. The 2024 Reunion was generally considered to be a great success. Much of it was centred around RAF Waddington and we owe a debt of gratitude not only to the Station Commander, Gp Capt D Holland  OBE MA RAF, but also to the staff of the Officers’ Mess, and those of ESS, the caterers, who were exceptionally helpful this year.  Thanks also goes to members of the RAF Waddington Volunteer Band and, of course, the Wykes family who once again provided invaluable support during our Service of Remembrance at Dunholme Lodge Farm.
 

Reunion 2025 Dates
 
Talking of Reunions, some important dates for your diaries: the 2025 Reunion will take place over the weekend 9th, 10th and 11th May 2025. It is too early to give details but the format is unlikely to be radically different from previous years.
 

Lancaster ME699

You may remember the letter from Mike Wainwright in the last newsletter, concerning the efforts of Christophe Clement and his team of historical researchers in France to erect a memorial to the 44 Squadron crew of Lancaster ME699 which was shot down close to the small village of Laversines, near Beauvais. The memorial was unveiled on the morning of Saturday 6th July 2024, eighty years and a day after the loss of the aircraft, in the presence of the Mayor, eminent citizens of Laversines, standard bearers, Channel Three Television, local reporters, politicians, re-enactors and a crowd which seemed to consist of much of the population of Laversines. A report of the visit is included in this edition.
 

Membership Matters

New Annual Subscription Rate With Effect From
1st November 2024

 
For many years now we struggled to keep the annual membership fee down to a modest £10, in the face of rocketing costs. Sadly this situation is is no longer sustainable and the committee has reluctantly taken the decision to increase membership fees from £10 to £15 per annum, payable on 1st November 2024. Please therefore amend your annual payments accordingly.
 
Subscriptions may be paid by banker’s Standing Order, BACS transfer from your bank account or personal cheque.  Standing Orders and BACS transfers should be made in favour of 44 R SQUADRON ASSOC, Sort Code 30-95-05, Account Number 01414860. Please enter your surname in the Reference Field. Alternatively, personal cheques (payable to 44 R SQUADRON ASSOC) may be mailed to the Membership Secretary at the address which appears in the left hand yellow box at the foot of the cover page.

Similarly, charges levied for annual reunion events and associated transport services have also been raised. The cost of bus transport to and from reunion events has historically been buried within the overall receipts for annual reunions; sadly this situation is no longer viable and costs now must be born by those members electing to make use of private hire coaches.


Newsletters
 
On the same theme, it will no longer be possible to mail newsletters to members whose subscriptions have lapsed, or to those few members who fail to pay the correct membership fee. Inevitably, printing costs have increased markedly and the postage rates continue their relentless upwards trajectory.
 
My thanks to those members who have kindly agreed to receive their newsletter by email. Anyone else wishing to do likewise, please advise the Newsletter Editor as soon as possible.

President & Chairman:
Air Commodore S A Baldwin MBE

Treasurer:
Squadron Leader A C Marson (Ret’d)
E-mail: vulcansponge@icloud.com

Editor and Membership Secretary:
Squadron Leader P J Leckenby (Ret’d) MBE
E-mail: ­­news44sqn2@icloud.com