408 sqn news – Page 5 – 408 "Goose" Squadron Association

Avro Lancaster, 1945–1965: In British, Canadian and French Military Service

May 17, 2020May 17, 2020 association

The Avro Lancaster, such a stalwart of the skies during the Second World War, also enjoyed an interesting and surprisingly colourful post-war career. It is this era that the authors have chosen to focus on by profiling the type across its many variants.Split into three primary sections, this book offers a concise yet informative history of the Lancaster’s post-war operational career (from 1945-1965) charting the course of the various alterations and improvements that occurred during this time and including a selection of contemporary photographs with detailed captions. A 16-page section…

FINANCIALS APPROVED

May 13, 2020May 13, 2020 Reunion

Thank you to all those who participated in our 408 Squadron Association e-AGM voting. The motion to approve our financials was carried.

RAF stained glass window at Scampton Church

December 3, 2019January 17, 2020 association

The Ministry of Defence have announced that they intend to decommission RAF Scampton in 2022. Whether this happens or not, a project to commission a stunning RAF stained glass window at Scampton Church to mark 100 years’ relationship between RAF Scampton and Scampton Church (1918 – 2018), and thereby also create a lasting memory to all who served in squadrons at the base, both in peacetime, during the two world wars and the cold war, is now up and running. RAF and aviation organisations have agreed to be non-funding community…

408 Helicopter Squadron readies for Iraq mission

November 26, 2019May 17, 2020 association

CH-146 Griffon from 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron kicks up dust at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, located in the Mojave Desert in California, during Exercise Striking Bat. The squadron is practicing flying operations and helicopter maintenance in an austere and challenging desert environment, similar to what they will face during their upcoming deployment to Iraq. Photo: Corporal Desiree T. Bourdon, DND RCAF Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, from Edmonton, Alberta, are completing their training for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. Operating…

Memorial to 408 Squadron LL720 Unveiled

November 20, 2019November 20, 2019 association

Relatives, representatives of Wings to Victory, the Assistant Military Attaché from the Embassy and Aircrew Remembrance Society from UK unveiled the Lancaster LL720 memorial at Paal, The Netherlands on Saturday November 9th, 2019. There was an honour guard, pipes and drums as well as a band that played both the Dutch and Canadian national anthems. Seven relatives spoke a word of thanks and laid flowers. The Mayor of Hulst and two relatives of crew members (Dramnitzki and Bonneville) unveiled the stone by removing the Canadian flag that was covering it.…

Sgt Robert “Scott” Hanna

November 14, 2019November 22, 2019 association

Scott lost a short but heroic battle with cancer on November 2, 2019. Gone to soon but never forgotten. Predeceased by his mother Arlene Hanna, Scott leaves behind his wife Dawn Parlby, stepchildren Kendall DeVries (Kyle Petrik) and Gabrielle Parlby, his father David Hanna (Doreen Todd), sister Dawn (Mark) Kuzemski, nephew Cole Pethybridge, niece Lara Pethybridge, and favorite Aunt Faye Acton. Scott devoted most of his life to the Royal Canadian Airforce. He spent 39 years in service to his country as an AVN technician, recruiter and too many other…

Ophir native was veteran, head of medical association

October 22, 2019December 15, 2019 association

Credit: Brian Kelly Sault Star Ophir native Dr. James McPhee survived being shot down in the Second World War, helped found a southern Ontario hospital and led an Ontario association of doctors. He worked at Algoma Steel before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force and serving with 408 Squadron. During his second mission in November 1944, McPhee’s Halifax bomber was shot down during a mission to bomb an oil fabrication plant in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany. He died Oct. 8 at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ont. McPhee was 94. continued

New Memorial to be unveiled in The Netherlands. (Lancaster Aircrew Memorial)

October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 association

The Aircrew Remembrance Society has been cooperating with Dutch Historian Jaap Geenson for many years. In 2014 our chairman David King was able to identify items recovered by Jaap on the Dutch coast line, as coming from a Lancaster aircraft. A memorial to the crew of this Lancaster II, LL720 408 Sqdn, will now be unveiled on the 9th November 2019. The relatives of two of the crew members have been located, those of F/O J. Bonneville, RCAF and P/O E. Dramnitzki, RCAF. The search continues for relatives of the other five.…