Timely tribute

Above: A historic Lancaster bomber, similar to those used during the Dambusters raid flies over Derwent reservoir's famous 'twin towers', piloted by 617 sqadron leader Stu Reid

Above: Spectators gather to watch the fly-past

Above: Author and aviation expert Vic Hallam chats to members of the 2517 Air Training Corps before the service

SILENCE descended on the Derwent Valley as veteran actor Richard Todd scattered poppy petals on the still waters of the reservoir at the end of a memorial service to mark the 65th anniversary of the daring ‘Dambusters’ raid. Thousands of spectators paid their respects during the service and laying of wreaths at the peaceful Peak location, where air crews trained for several months before embarking on the historic mission at a key stage in the Second World War. Crowds then witnessed a moving RAF ceremonial fly-past staged by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - featuring a historic Lancaster similar to those used in the original mission, Tornadoes, a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Dakota transport plane - on the actual anniversary, Friday May 16. RAF veterans, including New Zealander Les Munro (89), the last surviving pilot who took part in the Dambusters raid, and members of Dr. Barnes Wallis’s and Guy Gibson’s families were among those who remembered the 133 men, 53 of whom lost their lives, of No. 617 Squadron RAF who successfully breached German dams in the Ruhr Valley on the night of 16/17 May 1943. Current RAF representatives, Peak District National Park officials, Severn Trent Water representatives and civic dignitaries also attended. Padre John Ellis of RAF Coningsby, who conducted the service, paid tribute to the ‘exceptional flying skills’ and ‘extraordinary courage’ of all those involved, as well as the ‘genius’ of Dr Wallis, who invented and designed the famous ‘bouncing bomb’, and the ‘inspired leadership’ of Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Padre Ellis described how the Dambusters mission, codenamed ‘Chastise’, demanded very low flying at night, sometimes below 60 feet, over heavily defended enemy territory. He also warned against glorifying war but added: ‘It is important to remember that 65 years ago, this country was at war, and that our immediate existence and way of life were under threat.This was not a spur of the moment action, but a planned raid.’ Added Les Munro, who was just 22 at the time of the mission:‘I have a great sense of pride that I took part and trained on Derwent Reservoir. It brings back many memories of the time we spent preparing here.We had a job to do, and we did that job.You just accepted that you may lose your life or could be injured - that’s just one of the downsides of warfare.’ Actor Richard Todd, who played the role of Guy Gibson in the 1955 film The Dam Busters, reflected: ‘It’s the most moving sight, watching the old Lancaster flying over the dam,a wonderful sight and sound. It’s very exciting, moving and memorable, especially when you think the original pilots did what the current ones did today in the fly-past, but even lower, and at night.How on earth they did it, none of us can ever work out.’ Ex-pilot in RAF 630 and 57 Squadrons Eric Quinney (84), of Narborough, Norfolk, who played Richard Todd’s ‘double’ and flew a Lancaster in the film, shared the actor’s admiration: ‘It’s a pleasure and an honour to be here, and it brings back many memories for me. I have nothing but respect for the crews who took part in the real mission. Portraying what they did later, in the film,was nothing in comparison.’