RAF LICHFIELD ASSOCIATION REUNION 2000

On Friday 1st September 2000 the Association held their 10th Reunion at Fradley Village Hall and Members  were greeted by a Guard of Honour from the 1206 (Mercian) Air Training Corps Squadron based in Lichfield. 120 members attended who came from all Lichfield Units and included Percy Hicks (51 M.U.) from Vancouver in  Canada. An excellent buffet was provided by Sylvia Jones and our thanks to her and all the bar staff who helped out because of the last minute change of venue. Entertainment was provided by Arthur Tipper on the organ and a new addition was the Theatrical Group 'Us' who performed sketches and recitations with an RAF WW11 theme.  

The following morning a Service was held in Lichfield Cathedral followed by a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas which is due to open to the public in Easter 2001. A tree was planted and a plaque placed in memory of  W/O Nicholas Wallace Air Gunner R.A.A.F. (died August 1998) who was at 27 O.T.U. from July to September 1942 and became a P.O.W at Lamsdorf. After repatriation he settled in New Zealand and the ceremony was attended by his daughter and grandson. Lunch was taken at the RBL Club Alrewas and we then visited Fradley Church and poppies were laid on all the graves of those who died whilst serving at RAF Lichfield. Lawrie Walford then showed us the Memorial Site nearby which is currently under construction.