An artist’s impression of the Centre

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) is being created to provide a world-class facility to serve as a point for recognition, remembrance and reconciliation for Bomber Command.

The Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Trust, in partnership with the University of Lincoln, aims to open the Centre in 2016. Lincoln has been chosen for the site as it provides a central point for all 27 bases that earned Lincolnshire the title of ‘Bomber County’. Lincoln Cathedral provided a landmark for crews both leaving and returning from missions and, for those who failed to return, the Cathedral was often their last image of home. Lincolnshire housed over a third of all the WW2 Bomber Command Stations making it the ideal home for this commemoration of the bravery of the men of Bomber Command.

The IBCC will provide the most comprehensive record of Bomber Command in the world and will ensure that generations to come can learn of their vital role in protecting the freedom we enjoy today.

Unveiling of the IBCC Spire Memorial

The Spire Memorial under construction

Although the Centre itself is not scheduled to open until 2016, there is an important event coming up on 2nd October 2015 when the IBCC will be holding a ceremony to unveil the Spire Memorial. The Centre wishes to invite veterans to this event and an application can be filed via the IBCC website at www.internationalbcc.co.uk. Due to space limitations on site this event will be by invitation only. Preference will be given to Bomber Command Veterans, their immediate family and relatives of those lost whilst serving in Bomber Command.

To accompany this auspicious occasion the Trust has commissioned a commemorative programme. The 64 page, full colour programme will not only record the events on the day but will incorporate interviews with veterans of air and ground crews, WAAFs, and residents of the County during the Second World War. There will also be articles by experts in the history and heritage of both Bomber Command and Bomber County. The commemorative programme will feature previously unseen images that have been collected by the Centre’s digital archive team. This limited edition programme can be pre-ordered via the IBCC on-line shop at a cost of £12.50, 50% of which will go towards raising funds for the building of the Chadwick Centre. Due to the restrictions of the size of the site and for safety, numbers will be limited. Preference will be given to living veterans and their carers followed by families of those commemorated on the first phase walls. There will be additional opportunities in the future with the opening of the Chadwick Centre and the Phase 2 walls.

Request for Assistance

The Secretary recently received the following request from Peter Jones, Archive Assistant at the International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive Project. The IBCC would be most grateful if any of our members could help.

Dear Mr Horscroft,

I am an archive assistant working on The International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive Project at the University of Lincoln. The International Bomber Command Digital Archive Project is pulling resources together from all over the world to form the definitive central source of information on Bomber Command.

It incorporates oral histories and videographies, never before digitized documents held by museums and institutions worldwide and those in private ownership. These will include log books, photographs, letters and service citations all pulled together in an indexed and searchable archive before the story is lost forever. Therefore preserving the rich heritage of the Command and ensuring the memory of those who served is available for generations to come.

Does your association have any veterans or veteran’s families who would be willing to take part in our project?

For further information please follow the internet link below to the International Bomber Command Centre website: