Latest news with #NickyvanderDrift
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Research to begin in Lincoln into WW2 RAF losses in far east
Research is to take place into losses sustained by RAF bomber crews in the far east during World War International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) said, while Bomber Command did not serve in the region during the war, its aircraft and crews were assigned to a new unit called Tiger Force to provide long-range bombing support in the Allied advance against force was never deployed, as the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan surrendered in fund the research, the centre in Lincoln is selling thousands of ceramic poppies arranged in the shape of a Lancaster Bomber to mark Victory in Europe (VE) Day and VJ Day this year. Nicky van der Drift, chief executive of the IBCC, said: "Once the research on the far eastern theatre is complete, our Losses Database will have honoured and recorded every life lost in any of the Second World War bombing commands, including the Mediterranean theatre, 2 TAF and Command."The database will provide an additional resource, not only for military historians and visitors to our site, but also for family history websites." Ms van der Drift said the centre hoped to raise the funds needed to build further memorial walls, which would take the numbers commemorated from 50,000 to more than 80, poppy installation was created by Lithuanian artist Darius Sirmulevicius, who now lives in Lincolnshire. Proceeds from the sale of the poppies will go to the IBCC, Wooden Spoon children's rugby charity, British West India Regiments Heritage Trust and the RAF Benevolent van der Drift said: "Buying a commemorative ceramic poppy is one way in which people can support our mission and make sure these brave men and women are remembered and honoured." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Poppy display for VE Day moves visitors to tears
An installation of more than 20,000 ceramic poppies has been unveiled at the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC), in Lincoln. Each poppy has been handcrafted, and some have been laid out in the shape of a Lancaster Bomber. Nicky van der Drift, chief executive of the IBCC, said: "People are stunned. It has great impact. They're very moved. We've had people in tears." Military personnel laid some of the final poppies at the installation on Friday. There are 617 handcrafted poppies on the Memorial Spire, in honour of 617 Squadron (the Dambusters). The display is part of VE80 Lincoln, a project marking VE Day. It was created by Lithuanian artist Darius Sirmulevicius, who moved to Lincolnshire in 1998. He said he was pleased with people's reactions to the display, and added: "I have put my heart and soul into this." Ms van der Drift said she hoped it would show people the "power of remembrance". She added: "Now more than ever, with everything that is going on in the world, we need to remember why we need to avoid war, and do everything within our reach to find peaceful solutions." The installation will be on display until the end of August. Each poppy will be sold to raise money for the IBCC, the British West India Regiments Heritage Trust and the Wooden Spoon Trust. VE80 Lincoln is a collaboration between the IBCC, Francourt Events, Sage Blue and Lincoln Rugby Club. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. VE Day 80th celebrations in Lincolnshire King and Queen to host VE Day tea party for war veterans International Bomber Command Centre
