Ardingly tattoo honours Bomber Command
THE bravery of the volunteer fighters of World War Two's Bomber Command will be one of the key themes of a huge military tattoo in Mid Sussex next month.
All the fliers with the squadron were volunteers and their average age was just 22. Out of every 100 men who began a 30-mission operational tour, just 27 would complete it.
Often overlooked and still awaiting its own memorial, Bomber Command lost more men in one night during a raid over Nuremberg in March 1944 than died in the entire Battle of Britain.
On September 4 Bomber Command veterans will be recounting their exploits at Tunes of Glory, the Royal British Legion's Military Tattoo at Ardingly.
The veterans will be at the South of England Showground venue to sign prints and answer questions about their wartime experiences.
Tunes of Glory opens from 2pm in the afternoon with guests including wildlife artist David Shepherd and Ditchling-based Forces' Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will fly over in honour of the 70th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain, before the Military Tattoo and Concert begins at 6.30pm.
Five military bands including HM Royal Marines, Pipes of the Ghurkas, and The Kohima Band of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment will open the tattoo.
The concert orchestra will then take the stage for a stirring programme of military movie themes before accompanying Blake, the Opera Quartet and international singing guest Hayley Westenra.
Dame Vera Lynn will also make a special guest appearance during the evening and Lewes Bonfire boys and girls will lead a torchlight procession as a firework display brings the evening to a close.
Tunes of Glory is produced by Crown Events, for The Royal British Legion.
Visit www.tunesofglory.co.uk or call the ticket hotline 01273 556959.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
