Kevin Watts has sent me pictures of a interesting beer tankard which he has recently acquired. One one side is a large 617 Squadron crest, on the other the words:
BOMBS AWAY
17/5/43
KEN’S
I’m not an expert on engraving, but the crest in particular looks to have been done with some skill, using only a simple nail punch and hammer. Kevin has been told that it came from the Blue Bell pub in Tattershall Thorpe at the time it was refurbished in the 1950s, when the many signatures left on the ceiling by wartime aircrew were painted over.
There were only two Kens/Kenneths on the Dams Raid. One of these, Ken Earnshaw, was killed so it can’t be his. It’s possible that someone made it up for the other, Ken Brown, or it could have been done for someone who served in the squadron’s ground crew.
Any further information would be welcome, so if you have any, please add it in the comments box below.
Dambusters Blog 
It may well have been Earnshaws as he may have been a regular at the Blubell before the raid, common practice then and now to have your own tankard hanging in the bar, probably hung there for a long time after if the Landlord had any respect.
I have a painting of barlows crew.Can I send it to youThankyouSent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
Yes, please do! Email a picture of it to charlesjfoster@gmail.com
Thanks very much
I suggest the very real possibility that “Ken” is a nickname.
I think that Ken Earnshaw would not of even heard of the Bluebell at Tattershall or of had any reason to go there . He was based at Scampton before the Dams raid ( a fair distance away from Tattersall ) and would obviously not of gone with 617 to Woodhall or Conningsby post raid due to his K.I.A 17 May 1943, so I think highly unlikely to be his if it is connected to The Bluebell.
When did the 617 squadron receive its crest which is on the tankard, definitely not before the raid so as mentioned it’s not Ken Earnshaws. Plus I have seen lots of items but not seen this before so it could be a tankard done for someone post war service
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to post their thoughts on this tankard. Nothing conclusive yet but there again I thought that might be the case. However I think this piece still remains a very interesting item that has some historical value. If any body else has any more information or ideas in the future then please make comment on here.