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A dedication took place in 4 March 2023 at the grave of Richard Curle, organised by Monsieur Pascuali, President of the Château d'Oléron Veterans Association in association with the town hall on the island. A new plaque was unveiled on Richard's grave. M. Pascuali organised the tribute ceremony that took place on 4 March 2023, the 80th anniversary of the loss of the crew aboard Lancaster ED559. More images can be seen on this Facebook link. Unfortunately, I had not been informed of the event happening. My thanks to Luis Garrido for the information about the event.
 Overhead view of Richard Curle's grave
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I am once again indebted to Luis Garrido for the following images. He was visiting the gave of Richard and noticed a new memorial has been added. It's uncertain at this time who was responsible for this. There is a small coat of arms at the base but I currently do not know which organisation this represents. Hopefully, we'll find out more in the future. Lovely to see someone decided to add this to the grave.
On this Armistice Day, 11th November, 2022 we remember all those who served and those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today. Amongst those lost were the seven men onboard Lancaster ED559. F/Lt Richard A. Curle (Pilot) — RAF 121280 (Age 28) Sgt David A. Hart (Flight Engineer) — RAF 567377 (Age 24) F/O Harry Riding (Wireless Operator) — RAAF 403699 (Age 25) F/O Errol C. Crapp (Navigator) — RAAF 411113 (Age 24) P/O Charles S. Challoner (Bomb Aimer) — RAF 131995 (Age 37) Sgt Daniel L. Gooch (Mid-Upper Gunner) — RAF 1336491 (Age 19) Sgt Garnet W. Durdin (Rear Gunner) — RAAF 416149 (Age 25)  I am, once again, indebted to Luis Garrido for the following images. Luis has been instrumental is assisting me with the placement of the plaque on the cemetery wall in Château d'Oléron. The plaque has been placed to the left of the main cemetery entrance. I would have hoped it would have been placed closer to the green CWGC plaque but I'm pleased that visitors will now be able to learn a little more about the sacrifice made by the crew back in 1943. F/Lt Richard A. Curle (Pilot) — RAF 121280 (Age 28) Sgt David A. Hart (Flight Engineer) — RAF 567377 (Age 24) F/O Harry Riding (Wireless Operator) — RAAF 403699 (Age 25) F/O Errol C. Crapp (Navigator) — RAAF 411113 (Age 24) P/O Charles S. Challoner (Bomb Aimer) — RAF 131995 (Age 37) Sgt Daniel L. Gooch (Mid-Upper Gunner) — RAF 1336491 (Age 19) Sgt Garnet W. Durdin (Rear Gunner) — RAAF 416149 (Age 25)
To be released at the end of May 2022, Attitude Films new documentary "Lancaster" tells the story of the iconic WW2 bomber. It features interviews with some of the last surviving crew members combined with re-mastered archive material (some of which has rarely been seen) and aerial footage of the RAF’s last airworthy Lancaster PA474. |
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