BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
On Saturday 31 May, AFA-SA joined with RAAF Edinburgh in co-hosting the 2025 Bomber Command Commemorative Service at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide.
In a very poignant service, the Adelaide community came together in acknowledging those brave aviators who defied the odds and served their nation in Australia’s costliest campaign of World War 2. More than 120,000 aviators saw service in Bomber Command with sadly, more than 55,000 paying the ultimate sacrifice. Of the 10,000 Australians who served in Bomber Command, more than one-third did not return.
While the service was attended by key dignitaries from Government and Defence, the most important guests of honour were two distinguished World War 2 Bomber Command veterans Ray Merril DFC and Howard Hendrick DFC. They both completed more than thirty missions in 1944/45 – Howard as a pilot and Ray as a tail gunner.
The service was supported by RAAF Edinburgh based No 462 Squadron, a RAAF Bomber Command Squadron, and the Australian Air Force (AAFC) Cadets. Ms Nikki King, daughter of South Australian Dambuster pilot SQNLDR Dave Shannon DSO and Bar DFC and Bar, recited two poems including Hugh Brodies solemn ‘An Airman’s Prayer’ which he wrote as a 460SQN airmen before losing his life over Germany on a raid.
While 462 SQN were on parade at the memorial, 462SQN officers formed the Catafalque Party. In his keynote address, WGCDR Andrew McCarron, CO 462SQN, told the incredible story of Howard Hendrick DFC, who completed a tour of duty with 460SQN from mid to late 1944. Meanwhile, AAFC Cadets tended two 462SQN banners and a 460SQN and two AAFC Cadets guarded a special Bomber Command Commemorative Wreath which was the last tribute laid.
The service was attended by over 220 people from across various sectors including Defence, government, veteran, Defence support, aerospace, heritage, education and defence industry making it one of AFA most successful ever commemorations in Adelaide.
It was an incredible service providing a very fitting way of honouring that incredible generation of Australians who served in Bomber Command noting that this year is the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War 2. Our Nation will be forever indebted to our World War 2 veterans and in particular, those remarkable aviators such as South Australia’s Ray Merrill and Howard Hendrick who defied the odds serving in Bomber Command and are still proudly telling their story to contemporary serving veterans and the broader community.
Story courtesy Group Captain Greg Weller
Images:
Main Image: Bomber Command veteran Howard Hendrick DFC who completed a tour with 460SQN as a pilot looks at the 460SQN Plaque on the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground after the 2025 Bomber Command Commemorative Service.
Bomber Command veteran Howard Hendrick DFC with WGCDR Andrew McCarron, CO 462SQN, and 462SQN aviators at the Air Force Memorial in Adelaide.
WGCDR Andrew McCarron, CO 462SQN, delivers the keynote address at the 2025 Bomber Command Commemorative Service at Adelaide with AAFC Cadets tending a 462SQN Banner and 462SQN aviators at ease in the background.
