617 Sqn has always had strong links to Lincolnshire and Woodhall Spa in particular, which has become its spiritual home, the Squadron having operated from there for most of World War II  and having its Officers’ Mess in the Petwood Hotel. In the centre of the town stands a magnificent memorial in the form of a breached dam, which commemorates the names of those members of the Squadron who gave their lives during the Second World War in the service of their country, along with the Squadron’s battle honours.

As you will see from perusal of this website, the Association meets twice a year in Woodhall Spa; in May to commemorate the Dams Raid, and on the Remembrance Weekend in November to commemorate the sinking of the German battle cruiser Tirpitz and to join with the local community in honouring comrades who have passed away. However, since the end of that conflict, over 30 additional members of 617 Squadron have died serving their country either with the Squadron or other units. In addition, the Squadron has won two additional battle honours.

To commemorate these post World War II servicemen, the 617 Squadron Aircrew Association will erect a second memorial on a site adjacent to its World War II memorial. The memorial has been created by Sylvia Waugh, a local Lincolnshire designer, winner of a competition organised for final year students by the University of Lincoln and will be constructed by a Lincolnshire-based monumental mason.

Location of Post WWII Memorial on left side of existing memorial’

The memorial will take the form of a 3 metre high black granite pyramid, its form echoing the wing form of two of the aircraft flown post-war by the Squadron – the Vulcan and Tornado. A projecting triangular pediment will carry the Squadron badge and the inscription ‘In memory of all members of No. 617 Squadron RAF who gave their lives since 1945 in the service of their country. We will remember them’. The polished side faces of the pyramid will contain inset red glass lightning flashes, the symbol carried today on the Squadron’s Tornado GR4 aircraft and will be inscribed with the Squadron’s battle honours of ‘Gulf 1991’ and ‘Iraq 2003’.

Planning permission has been obtained and the 617 Squadron Aircrew Association is now appealing for financial support to raise the £25,000 anticipated to be required to bring this project to completion. The Association has used already £5,000 of its own funds.

Donations may be made to:
‘No 617 Squadron Association’ and sent to
Chairman 617 Sqn Aircrew Association,
8 Thorold Way,
Harmston,
Lincoln LN5 9GJ

The ‘fund thermometer’ will periodically update you on how the appeal is progressing.

1st November 2010 Please Give Generously and Thank you for Your Support’.

Memorial Design - Sylvia Waugh B.A.(Hons), L.S.D.C. 'On site' representation of the original design model and 3D visual imaging - Donnas H. Peterson 2010

‘Artist’s depiction of Post WWII Memorial’

Memorial Design - Sylvia Waugh B.A.(Hons), L.S.D.C. 'On site' representation of the original design model and 3D visual imaging - Donnas H. Peterson 2010

‘Aerial view of Post WWII Memorial’