The Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, York, England, will host its annual Allied Air Forces Memorial Day on September 6, bringing together military representatives, veterans, dignitaries, and members of the public to honor the service and sacrifice of Allied air forces personnel. Held at the museum’s site in Elvington near York, the event is the museum’s largest annual commemoration and serves as a tribute to the men and women of Commonwealth and Allied nations who have served in military aviation. A highlight of the day will be a ceremonial parade featuring 18 Standards, representing various military and veterans’ organizations. This year’s event will welcome official representatives from the embassies of France, Belgium, Poland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, underscoring the international significance of the commemoration.
Representing the Chief of the Air Staff will be Group Captain John “Geordie” Lawson, Officer Commanding RAF Leeming. During the ceremony, Lawson will conduct the traditional Turning of the Page in the Yorkshire Air Museum’s Book of Remembrance, marking the inscription dedicated to the crew of RAF Nimrod XV230. The aircraft was lost over Kandahar, Afghanistan, on September 2, 2006, claiming the lives of all 14 personnel aboard. In a statement confirming his attendance, the Royal Air Force said: “Group Captain Lawson is honoured to accept the invitation and is very happy to participate in this important occasion. Thank you once again for including RAF Leeming in what will be a poignant and meaningful commemoration. We look forward to joining you in paying tribute and remembering those being honoured.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs. Johanna Ropner, who represents King Charles III in the county, will attend the parade and commemorative service. She will be joined by the Sheriff of York, Geoff Cossins, with both dignitaries scheduled to deliver readings during the ceremony. The memorial service will begin at noon inside the museum’s main hangar beneath the nose of the museum’s Handley Page Halifax bomber, Friday the 13th. The service will be led by the museum’s Honorary Chaplain, Revd. Charles “Taff” Morgan MBE RAF (Retd.). A Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft is expected to perform a flypast during the afternoon, subject to weather and aircraft availability. The appearance will provide a memorable finale to the day’s commemorations. Visitors can attend the event as part of a regular museum visit, with no special admission required. For more information and to support the Yorkshire Air Museum, click on this link: yorkshireairmuseum.org.
