Rebecq Commemoration

550 Squadron Commemorations May 2023

4th May 2023

Notice was received in February of a Service of Remembrance for the celebration of the Allied Victory (which is commemorated in Belgium on May 8th) to take place on the occasion of a fly-past by the BBMF Lancaster. The ceremony planned to begin at 11.15 am until 12 noon. The overflight of the Lancaster was planned for 12.19 pm, so that the public attending can see the aircraft and take pictures.

The Lancaster was overflying a large number of sites in The Low Countries where Allied aircraft had been lost. See the full details at: https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/news/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight-fly-overseas-commemorative-sortie-over-belgium-and-the-netherlands/

Many thanks to the individuals named on each photo for the following photos (received via Wilfred Burie).

Flypast

Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past

Commemoration

Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past
Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past

Other Sites and Media

A detailed description of the day, and a comprehensive set of pictures taken during the overflight of Rebecq by the BBMF Lancaster, can be found at the following links:

There were a number of items in the media both before and after the event:

Rebecq fly-past Rebecq fly-past

17th May 2023

In the presence of the Representatives of HM the King of the Belgians, with a Royal band and a guard of honour the 550 crews lost over Belgium in WWII were remembered. For the first time there were no British and Canadian authorities present.

Unfortunately it was not possible this year for any UK representatives of the 550 Squadron Assocation to visit Rebecq to take part in the Commemorations at the Memorial, but a wreath was laid on behalf of the Association.

Our thanks to the people of Rebecq for the wonderful efforts they have made to remember the crews who failed to return home to North Killingholme.

Below is a selection of photographs from the Commemoration Service in Rebecq.

Many thanks to the individuals named on each photo for the following photos (received via Wilfred Burie).

Click on individual pictures to view the larger image.

Click image Click image Click image Click image

Details and photographs of the day's proceedings are available on the following web-pages: