Military History Tours          On Tour - Bomber Command (RAAF in the UK) 10 July 2014

We were picked up at our hotel at 0900 for our adventure into London. John was our driver and as we headed towards St Clements Danes Church he pointed out many of the historical buildings as we passed by.

To many this hour plus was one of the highlights of the day seeing London like this from the comfort of our coach. We arrived at the church and took a couple of photos outside before venturing in.

  

As the Minister was briefing members of the Staff College from Cranwell we descended into the crypt to view the objects that had been saved when the church was bombed during the War. Wendy laid a Poppy on the altar and we said the Ode for those many men and women lost in Bomber Command. Greg was parched so he helped himself to a glass of water that was set up for a following meeting, after all it was a life and death situation for him.

We then went upstairs to view the main hall of this magnificent church, the church of the RAF and RAAF. All the squadron badges are impregnated in the floor of the church and I show 10 Sqn badge as it was the first Australian Sqn in action here during the War. The Sqn was in the UK training up on their new planes, Sunderland flying boats. As the War was announced, 10 Sqn stayed to be part of coastal command for the duration of the War.

John was waiting for us when we concluded the tour and drove us, through London again, to Green Park where we visited both the Bomber Command Memorial and the Australian Memorial. We paid our respects at the Bomber Command Memorial and John Colville laid a Poppy on our behalf.

Leaving the Park, we grabbed a couple of taxis and headed up past Marble Arch to the Victory Services Club where we had a drink prior to a wonderful lunch. The Club has been refurbished since Judith and I stayed there over 10 years ago and it has been transformed.

  

After we concluded with our drinks we moved to the restaurant for lunch. The food was excellent and all enjoyed the lunch followed by ice cream.

Our adventure concluded with a tube ride to Heathrow and a cab to our hotel, dinner is at 1830.

Tomorrow we leave London for Bedford and who knows what adventures we will face.