An Introduction
The Bomber Command Historical Society (or 'BCHS') was formed in early 1998 by a group of Bomber Command researchers who wanted to ensure that the true story and efforts of Bomber Command, and all those who served with it, are made known and actively promoted. The pooling of their colective research resources would also enable them to be able to offer a better service to those people who were coming to them seeking information.
Aims
With the formation of the Bomber Command Historical Society, a central point of contact has been created, and to date we have been able to help a good many people to seek answers to Bomber Command-related questions which had hitherto remained unanswered to them. Such people included:-
Our forum of researchers covers most aspects of Bomber Command within the Second World War, and we also have a "V-Force" specialist which takes our field of expertise regarding Bomber Command right up to its demise, with the amalgamation of both Fighter and Bomber Command in 1968 to form Strike Command. With such a well-organised research team in place we are able to address most questions put to us by people such as those listed above.
As well as the research side of the Bomber Command Historical Society, we are also involved with the restoration of a Halifax bomber, via our involvement with "57 Rescue." NA337, a Halifax Mk.VII, was recovered from Lake Mjosa in 1995, and transported to Canada where it is undergoing restoration to static exhibition standard. When completed, it will be a fine memorial to the 55,573 aircrew and coutless groundcrew who gave so much in those turbulent war years so that we know freedom today. Members of the Bomber Command Historical Society regularly attend recovery exercises organised by 57 Rescue, and they are proving increasingly popular.
The Bomber Command Historical Society is completely un-funded, is run by volunteers away from their full-time employ, and has no interest whatsoever in financial gain. Any member found to be using the name of the society for financial gain will have their membership card withdrawn.
The members of the society who are active researchers are all happy to share whatever information that they have regarding their specialist fields of interest, and so long as the facilities are not abused, they make no charge for this service.
The Bomber Command Historical Society produces a newsletter four times a year, which contains many items and articles of interest, includinga popular "appeals" page. The cost of a years subscription (four issues) to the newsletter is presently £5.00, but membership of the Bomber Command Historical Society is FREE. Membership of the Bomber Command Historical Society is open to anyone with an interst in Bomber Command. Both researchers and non-researchers alike are warmly welcomed to the society, to help perpetuate the legend of Bomber Command.
Activities of the Bomber Command Historical
Society
The Bomber Command Historical Society attends various airshows and other aviation-related events, in conjunction with the 57 Rescue organisation mentioned earlier, to promote the work of the society, and more importantly, of Bomber Command. Our stand takes its place proudly amongst many of the other trade and society stands that are present at these events, flying the flag for Bomber Command and keeping the torch burning.
We also hope to organise members weekends in the former "Group" areas. Maybe Lincolnshire, with its abundance of former Hampden and Lancaster airfields will be our focal point, or perhaps the Stirling airfields of Norfolk, or maybe the Whitley and Halifax haunts of Yorkshire. Whatever the destination, you can be assured of congenial company and an interesting couple of days away, which as well as old airfields will take in a museum or two and other locations with an aviation flavour.
If you would like more information please email us (please replace the "AT" with an "@" before sending your email) for further details.
To join the BCHS, please complete the ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM and email it to the Secretary using the online form provided.
If you would prefer more traditional methods, click here for a membership application form that can be printed and sent via "snail mail" to the address shown on that form.
Currently, the constituent members of the Bomber Command Historical Society are proud to be members of the following organisations:-
British Aircraft Preservation Council; British
Aircraft Archeological Council; Bomber Command Association; Halifax
Aircraft Association; Lincolnshire Lancaster Association; Handley
Page Association; Stirling Aircraft Association; Royal Air Force
Association; Nanton Lancaster Society; Handley Page 57 Rescue; and a
list of Squadron Associations far too long to list here!!
Contacting the Bomber Command Historical
Society
Contacting the Bomber Command Historical Society couldn't be easier. Telephone, facsimile, and email make us one of the most contactable (and we have been told many times recently, the most approachable and user friendly!!) aviation historical societies in existence. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you need clarification on any aspect of society membership, or indeed if you just have a question appertaining to Bomber Command that you think we may be able to help you with. However, we would respectfully ask, if you are telephoning from outside of the United Kingdom, please be mindful of any time differences as a telephone call at three in the morning may not be met very enthusiastically!! Here are our full contact details:-
Click here to email the Bomber Command Historical Society (please replace the "AT" with an "@" before sending your email)
Our Contact details are about to change due to us moving house, so please either email us using the link above, or call us on our mobile - 07713 687623. Thanks!! We will update this page with our new address in the next few days - please check back soon.
BCHS "Super Secretary" Ginny hard at work (with the aid of a hearty mug of NAAFI tea!!) in the BCHS Membership Office - our living room!!