BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
On Saturday 30 May 2026, AFA-SA hosted the 2026 Bomber Command Commemorative Service in Adelaide supported by No 462 Squadron, a current Defence unit that saw distinguished service with Bomber Command in World War 2 and the Australian Air Force Cadets.
The service, which has become a major and popular service on the local commemorative calendar acknowledged the remarkable service and achievements of the more than 10,000 Australians who flew with Bomber command and honoured the more than one third who paid the supreme sacrifice and did not return home.
A wise decision early in the week to move the service into the Torrens Parade Ground Drill Hall proved appropriate given the rain at the time of the service. Despite moving inside, the ceremony was just a poignant with much symbolism featuring a Catafalque Memorial comprising two WW2 Air Force caps and a 462 SQN Halifax Bomber model, a RAAF Ensign at half-mast on a portable flagpole, a 460SQN and a 462SQN Banner tended by 462SQN aviators and AAFC Cadets, and a Commemorative Wreath with a G for George Lancaster Model guarded by two AAFC Cadets.
While it was wonderful having so many guests including dignitaries, serving and ex-serving veterans, local, state and federal government representatives and member across Adelaide’s veterans, Defence support, aerospace, heritage and Defence sector, the highlight was having 102-year-old RAAF Bomber command veteran Mr Angas Hughes and immediate family of passed bomber command veterans. Angas Hughes completed 32 missions before bailing out of his flaming Lancaster to be captured on the ground and serve the last 7 months of the war as a POW. We believe he is the last surviving RAAF World War 2 POW veteran in South Australia and one of a handful of Bomber Command veterans in the state.
As has become the tradition over recent times, this year’s service featured the story of a South Australian aviator who served in Bomber Command and this year, the keynote speech provided by WGCDR Shaun Reece, CO 462SQN, told the story of FLTLT Ross Stanford DFC, a young South Australian cricket prodigy, who completed 47 missions with 467 SQN and 617 SQN (the Dambuster Squadron) flying Lancasters. We were honoured to have Mr Greg Stanford, Ross Stanford’s son, attend the service.
It was a privilege to have 94-year-old Ms Lee Baker, whose late husband Maurice Moore served as a Wireless Operator with 462 SQN in Bomber Command during 1945, attend and lay a wreath on behalf of Families of Veterans Guild. Between January and May 1945, Moore completed 17 missions flying not as a member of a particular crew but augmenting crews for specific missions that required dropping Window or small aluminum strips packed together and dropped from aircraft to generate false readings for radars to confuse German air defence network. We introduced Lee to WGCDR Shaun Reece, the current Commanding Officer of No 462 Squadron.
Chaplain Sophie Marta, 24SQN, officiated while 462SQN provided the MC, a Catafalque Party, the keynote address and a support party. Meanwhile, Australian Air Force Cadets provided a Guard of Honour for the Bomber Command Commemorative Wreath, Flag Orderly, door openers, registration, scripture reading, bearers of the 460SQN Banners and laid the final tribute, the Bomber Command Commemorative Wreath.
After the service, we came together over morning tea to share stories. It was wonderful seeing our young Australian Air Force Cadets and RAAF Base Edinburgh aviators connect with our ex-serving veterans, particularly our Bomber command veteran Angas Hughes.
Story courtesy of Greg Weller, Vice President AFA SA
Image Captions
GPCAPT David Brown, former CO 460SQN, salutes after laying a wreath at the 2026 Bomber Command Commemorative Service in Adelaide
Members of 462 SQN at post in the Catafalque Party and proudly bear their 462SQN Banner at the 2026 Bomber command commemorative service in Adelaide
A young Australian Air Force Cadet shows 102 year old Bomber Command veteran, Angas Hiughes, an image on her phone after the 2026 Bomber Command Commemorative Service in Adelaide
Australian Air Force Cadets at post with a 460SQN Banner and the Bomber Command Commemorative Wreath with the 462SQN Catafalque Commander at the 2026 Bomber Command commemorative Service in Adelaide
Honoured guests at the 2026 Bomber Command Commemorative Service including from left Mr Rod Bunten (Government House and son of a Bomber command veteran), Ms Nikki King (daughter of SQNLDR Dave Shannon 617SQN pilot), Hon Michael Brown MP representing the South Australian Government, Ms Lee Baker (wife of WOFF Maurice Moore 462SQN WOAG), Mr Greg Stanford (son of FLTLT Ross Stanford 617SQN pilot), Mr Angas Hughes (467SQN veteran), WGCDR Shaun Reece (CO 462SQN) and Hon Dennis Hood MLC (Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs). Image Luke Scott
