
Obituary in The Times, Monday 13 May 2024.
John Bell’s time as the President of 617 Squadron Association is mentioned in The Times obituary above. He will be remembered by many who attended the wreath-laying ceremony which takes place every year in Woodall Spa on the May Sunday closest to the date in May 1943 on which the Dams Raid took place. He would stand, as the obituary above says, bolt upright as he said the immortal words of Laurence Binyon:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
And the last four words which came from him were then echoed by everyone else present: ‘We will remember them.’
Thank you for the update. Barry
Sir, we thank you for your service – we will remember them,
Blue skies, Sir
Fair winds & Following seas, Sir. Peace & Honor Always.
81 years ago today is more than a lifetime away and yet this man knew them and was there. Incredible. Remembering them all particularly today, my RAF ensign is flying from my boat in Montenegro.