A Retford war veteran, Arthur Hinitt will take a poignant trip down memory lane when he journeys to the Netherlands to return a restored tank.
To find out more about his trip, read the article here http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Second-World-War-veteran-Arthur-90-set-Dutch-tank-mission/article-2621804-detail/article.html
Mrs Griffiths travelled to Holland and Germany in September 2009 with her daughter Gaynor. The main purpose of the trip was to visit the grave of her first husband, Flight Sergeant William “Billy” Henry Thompson, Air Bomber with the RAF who was shot down on 12 September 1994 aged 23. Billy’s grave is in Rheinberg cemetery where he lies with the rest of his crew.
“The trip we chose gave us a wonderful tour round the region around and including Arnhem and it was tailored to visit the cemeteries requested by families,” said Gaynor. “Each cemetery we visited was beautiful with the graves and the surrounding areas lovingly tended by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Our visit coincided with the celebrations for the anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem and we were treated to the most wonderful displays of parachute drops and tributes led by the local schoolchildren.”
“I was married at age 19,” said Ivy, “and I was a widow at 21. When Billy was killed I was serving in the WAAF but I then became a telegraph operator for a while and then later in the war I was a PTI instructor in Wales. That was where I met my second husband, Gaynor’s father, and we married after the war.
“I had never been to Europe before this trip. I had travelled to other places – the USA – but this was my first trip to see Billy’s grave and I am very glad that I did so. Words cannot describe my feelings and thoughts from taking part in this trip.”
Filed under: Holland, monument | Tags: Holland, leaving, monument, netherlands
Filed under: Holland, memorial, monument | Tags: Holland, maize, memorial, monument, netherlands, Weert
Filed under: Holland, Uncategorised | Tags: Holland, leaving, memorial, netherlands, Travel
Just got to the Memorial. Seeing it close up for the first time and seeing the engraving of the Halifax is brilliant.
As we are here Wesley and his parents arrive to look at the flowers.
We learnt that the flypast last night, which was impressive, two Harvards, flew over us seven times – once for each airman of the Halifax.
A second heartfelt goodbye to a remarkable young man.
What an experience. We all feel we have really seen something to remember. There is also a real sense of anticipation about putting the video together. We captured some really excellent material that, we hope, will do all this justice.
My abiding memory? Very difficult. The warmth of the people here? The wise words and inspiration of good old Larry? Wesley and his wisdom so young, coupled with his energy to make this happen? The amazing ceremonies and poignant moments? The tears of the schoolteacher as she introduced the Veterans to her class? Yes, all of these.
Filed under: Holland, Journey, Travel | Tags: Holland, interview, Larry, leaving, netherlands, Weert, Wesley
Have just recorded a final interview with Larry. He is so elloquent and very humbled by the whole thing.Again he said some wonderful things.
The Veterans have been put up in the Weert barracks. We said our goodbyes. It was a bit sad to go.
Wesley says he’s back to school tomorrow.
We now go to the monument again to get some close up pictures which we couldn’t do yesterday because of the crowds.
Cloudy today so lucky with the nice weather yesterday too.
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Breakfast time. I have been thinking a lot about the ceremony last night. I was very moved and I’m trying to work out why.
It was such a scene. All of us clustered by the road, next to a field of maize, twenty very senior military men and women, the town’s officials and the people of the city. As the sun set, the eternal flame by the simple monument to the Halifax Crew flickered brighter, and a series of wreathes were laid with a salute or a simple bow of the head.
Larry said the words of rememberance and returned to the theme – “They gave their todays for our tomorrows.”
I feel I have witnessed a very special moment.
A story honouring those aircrew in that Halifax, but also showing gratitude for the catalyst for all this – an extraordinary young student of 17.
Larry also spoke about the school they had seen and how it was “fantastic” that children were taught about the perils of war.
He ended by saying “One thing stays in this head of mine – the Netherlanders never forgot”. Looking at last night, they didn’t and I really believe they never will.
