Bomber Command memorial sends world wrong message

Published: 21 May 2010

• MY father flew Spitfires at the end of the war and told us of the fear of flying missions and terrible sadness when others didn’t come back.  

How dare Robin Gibb, the singer-songwriter and campaigner for the proposed Bomber Command memorial, say: “Anyone speaking against it should be ashamed of themselves.” 

He says “The whole world, including Germany, is free today because of Bomber Command’s sacrifice.” 

But he doesn’t mention the sacrifice of the 600,000 German civilians killed and the 7.5 million left homeless after the Allied bombings.  

War is a ghastly thing but let’s be fair now that we are at peace with a unified Europe. 

This memorial sends the wrong message to the world. 

My argument, though, is not whether Bomber Command should have another memorial to that already at St Clement Danes, but that it shouldn’t be in The Green Park.  

Surely the millions of pounds being raised could be better used by the RAF Benevolent Fund in support of the living injured and their families. I understand they are desperately in need of funds at the moment. 

We implore Bomber Command to withdraw to reconsider the scale, location and a more humanitarian message behind the proposed memorial.

Juliet Lyle
Friends of St James’s Park & The Green Park