Home   History   Contact Us   How To Find Us		Groups The Air Gunners Association Formed in March 1949, membership of the association is restricted to airmen who trained and qualified as Air Gunners in any of the three armed forces of the Crown, although the vast majority of members served in the RAF and Air Forces of the Commonwealth. Current membership stands at approximately 1800 despite the ravages of time. The objects of the Association are to foster good fellowship, encourage and promote social gatherings of members, facilitate service by members to one another and to perpetuate and enjoy the comradeship born and bred in His Majesty's Air Forces in time of war. Since training of Air Gunners ceased in 1955, it is obvious that the majority of the members are beyond the age of 70 years and it is therefore evident that the Association has a finite life. During WWII RAF bomber command losses were over 55,500 men, over 25,000 men were unaccounted for and are remembered at the Runnymede memorial. In a single night in 1944 the RAF dispatched to Nuremburg 779 heavy bombers (Lancaster’s and Halifax’s) each with a crew of 7 men, 96 bombers failed to return with a loss of 672 men this compares with a loss of 500 men during the Battle of Britain. The Air Gunners tasks were extremely hazardous, young men in their late teens and early 20’s could expect to lose their lives in as little as two weeks on bomber operations, but they still continued. It was not unknown for the remains of a rear turret gunner who had sustained 20mm cannon fire to be literally washed from the turret by hose onto the runway. Requiem for a rear gunner And should you weep for him if so inclined, then mingle knowledge with your gift of tears, bare not your heart alone unveil your mind upon the history of his 19 years. He had a wife for 7 magic nights, his eyes grew softer in a small hotel, they shared a dream of London rich with lights, and all the things that Woolworth's had to sell. Against his shaggy head he brushed a sleeve, within the barbers shop considered pride, in the hope of leave, then flew to Nuremburg that night and died. They were the bravest of the brave … Lest we forget Meetings held at midday on the first Thursday of every month in the Rutland Sport & Social Club with friends from the Burma Star Association. Article by Dave Cheetham Back to Groups		Latest News TEMP PHONE NUMBER & MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 2010 Temporary Closure of the Premises