Museum appeals for support for veterans

A Sussex museum dedicated to remembering the achievements of the armed forces during the second world war is appealing for the community’s support.

The Wings Museum is a voluntary organisation and registered charity that opens every Saturday and Sunday between March and October.

On Saturday April 6 it holds what it describes as ‘a very special event’ when veterans of RAF Bomber Command will gather to sign photographs and other memorabilia and raise funds for the Bomber Command Memorial Fund.

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Curator Daniel Hunt said: “This is a rare opportunity to meet a remarkable group of men who, as young men, flew all the British ‘heavy’ bombers of WW2—- the Lancaster, the Halifax and the Stirling, as well as the remarkable Mosquito Fighter/Bomber.

“Among their number are at least three holders of the DFC, aircrew who ‘baled out’ of their stricken aircraft and were detained as PoWs, ‘Pathfinder’ pilots and members of 617 ‘Dambuster’ squadron.”

The Bomber Command Memorial was dedicated by Her majesty The Queen in London’s Green Park in June last year and commemorates the 55,573 aircrew from who lost their lives 1939-1945. It was paid for by sponsorship, public donation and fund-raising by veterans and its upkeep is now dependent on further fund-raising.

Daniel said: “Many paid the ultimate sacrifice - now it us our turn to help them raise funds to support the Bomber Command Memorial Fund.”

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Wings Museum was started by Daniel and his brother, Kevin, and is now situated at Bucklands Farm, Brantridge Lane, between Balcombe and Handcross. It is run entirely by volunteers and veterans, including many from Sussex. The museum contains thousands of artefacts collected by the Hunts from former battlefields around the world. Each artefact tells its own story set alongside the sounds and music of the times. Themed” displays relate to the Home Guard, the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, Home Front, Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, 8th US Army Air Force, D-Day and Beyond and the Russian Front. Visitors can also walk inside a Douglas C-47 Dakota used in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.

The Bomber Command veterans will be at the museum from 11am to 3pm. More at www.wingsmuseum.co.uk

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