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Two amazing Les Knight discoveries on his 100th birthday
Melvin Chambers • Mar 15, 2021
Les Knight's Christening robe & a very rare photograph of his crew on the 40th anniversary of the Dams raids
CANADA / DEN HAM: 7 MARCH 2021 :
Two unexpected discoveries on Les Knight's 100th birthday this month. His Christening gown was discovered in Edmonton, Canada. The gown is made of silk and is in perfect condition. It was made by Les Knight's mother Nellie for his baptism. It is an excellent piece of craftmanship. The needle work is of a very high standard. Les Knight and his crew formed a bond which kept the crew united for decades following his tragic death. The families kept in touch often visiting each other across the globe. When Mrs.Knight heard the wife of Harry O'Brien was pregnant with their first born, she sent the gown to Canada. It arrived just in time to worn at the baptism of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien's daughter Leslie, who was named after O'Brien's skipper. The gown was discovered on what would have been Les's 100th birthday.
A few days later, this long lost crew photograph was discovered. It is his famous crew taken at Wainfleet, Lincolnshire during the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Dams Raids. RAF Wainfleet was a training range where the 617 Squadron spent many hours perfecting their low level bombing and gunnery skills. It was a coastal range some 60 km south-east of Lincoln. It has now been given back to nature and is famous for its control tower. From left to right : Harry O'Brien, Fred Sutherland, Bob Kellow, Sydney Hobday, Ray Grayston and Edward "Johnny" Johnson.
A selection of movies you may find of interest
Five Australian servicemen make special visit to Allied graves
Family and Pelgrims find their way to Den Ham to pay homageto war dead
Historisch bommenwerper keert terug naar Den Ham
Historisch Lancasterbommenwerper komt naar Den Ham
Cheers Johnny on your 100th Birthday
Melbourne, 25 May 2021, The second edition of an amazing book has just come onto the market. The late Arnold Eaton DFC wrote the history of the Lancaster he flew in during the war. Old Fred - The Fox as the Lancaster was lovingly nicknamed flew 49 bombing missions. Each mission is recalled in this well researched and presented book. This second edition has been updated and edited by his son Geoff. It is a great read and contains many photographs of missions, maps, mission records and personal memories. The front end of the fuselage of the Lancaster can be seen in the Imperial War Museum, London. The book can be ordered online via: Tales From The Treehouse: https://talesfromthetreehouse.com.au Price is AUS$ 35 excluding postage.
Camberwell, 25 May 2021 Members of the Odd Bods Association in the hometown of Les Knight have kindly sent us some images of the street in Camberwell where he grew up. The leafy Melbourne suburb of Camberwell is also home to a new monument in the sport park in Bowen Street. The Odd Bods Association is an international group who place monuments to the fallen. These pictures were kindly supplied by member Jennifer Hibbens. Due to Covid the monument has not as yet been officially unveiled. It is hoped this will take place in October this year. For more information about this group follow this link https://www.friendsofoddbods.com/
DEN HAM: 10 APRIL 2021. This image was taken by one of our board members from the Les Knight monument on 10 April 2021. It captures the Missing Man tribute by pilots of the Egmond Vintage Wings memorial flight. Minutes earlier these gracious aircraft flew over the neighbouring villages of Hellendoorn and Nijverdal who were celebrating their 76th anniversary of their Liberation by the canadian Army. The aircraft were returning to base at Hoogeveen airport when they detoured to honour the memory of the Australian dambuster hero, who is buried in the old cemetery in Den Ham. Thank you everyone at Egmond Vintage Wings for this sincere and unexpected accolade.
DEN HAM: 6 March 2021: Today we celebrated Les Knight's 100th Birthday by placing a vibrant floral tribute on his grave. It was laid by board member Hans Dekker, witnessed by Les Knight Monument founder Lucas Kamphuis. Due to current Covid restrictions, planned events to mark this event have been put on hold or cancelled. For more images follow the link to the Facebook page Remembering Dambuster Les Knight DSO
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