Rebecq Commemoration

550 Squadron Commemorations May 2025

14th May 2025

Notice was received in April of a Remembrance Service at the Rebecq Memorial to take place on 14th May 2025 at 10.00 am.

The ceremony took place at the Rebecq Memorial at 10am. There were about 50 people and some flag bearers. The 50 people included at least 15 people from the commune of Rebecq. Two classes from local schools comprising 14 students were also present. The tribute was celebrated in parts.

The first part paid tribute to Wilfred Burie thanks to the help of his sister Anne Burie who was present.

The second part considered the consequences of the 1940-1945 war on the physical and psychological level of people and prisoners, soldiers and civilians.

Finally the circumstances of the crash were described. Thanks to the presence of the children, seven of them named the names of the members of the Lancaster crew. As musical accompaniment we were treated to a bagpipe and a drum which played well. Following this a wreath of flowers was laid for Wilfred by his sister accompanied by the Mayor. The ceremony was closed by the four national anthems (British, Canadian, Belgian and European).

Many thanks to Guy de Braeckeleer for the above summary of the ceremony and the following photos (received via Mike Noonan).

28th May 2025

On 28th May at 06:45 a wreath was laid by Guy de Braeckeleer, Founding President of the Rebecq Memorial, on behalf of 550 Squadron Association in memory of the crash that took place at Rebecq. "We Will Remember Them".

Many thanks to Guy de Braeckeleer for the above and the following photos of a wreath laid on behalf of 550 Squadron Association at the Rebecq Memorial.