Australian Tempsford Veterans and Relatives (ATVARA) Commemorative Ceremony

An inaugural Commemoration Service at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance.
An inaugural Commemoration Service is planned for Saturday 14th July 2102 at 1400hrs for 1430 hrs, at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, to remember the service and sacrifice of the RAAF (and other allied Air Forces) who served in the secret “Special Duties” (SD) Squadrons based at RAF Tempsford, in Bedfordshire UK, during WWII.

Many people still are unaware of the existence and contribution to the war effort of these two secret, √©lite and multinational RAF SD Squadrons, No. 138 and No. 161, based at RAF Tempsford (also later joined by two USAAF “Carpetbagger” Squadrons). This Shrine Commemoration has developed from a Submission to the original “Anzac Centenary Commission” of the DVA, back in August 2010.

For those wishing to read further background to this, go to www.anzaccentenary.gov.au , click on “Submissions”, then on “Submissions during August 2010” and scroll down to No. 47

This is an open and cordial invitation to all members of the MHHV Victoria (and any other interested MHSA members interstate?) to attend this Ceremony. It will last for 30 minutes and two actual surviving No. 138 (SD) Sqn. veterans will speak during the Ceremony. Commemorative wreaths will be laid by an RAAF PAF Representative and by attending family descendants (most from interstate) of some of the lost RAAF and RAF airmen who flew in one of these two SD Squadrons.

A short informal gathering in the nearby Observatory Cafe will occur afterwards.

Any interested member is asked to contact Dr John Williamson AM (WGCDR RAAF Res. [Ret.] ) on 03 9598 8921 or 0412 644 296 or
jaws_w@bigpond.com.