NEWS | Anzacremembrancecio

WHAT'S NEWS WITH A.R.C.I.O.?

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025

As we approach the end of the year, our thoughts are quickly turning towards next year's ceremony at Stonefall Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Harrogate which will be held on the 26th April 2026. This will bring us to our five year anniversary of the ceremony and the second year since the charity was founded. Consequently, we are launching our 2025/26 A.R.C.I.O. FUNDRAISING APPEAL in order that the ceremony and reception for attending dignitaries and invitees may continue to be funded each year.

FUNDRAISING

In order to fund the ceremony each year and to honour the Australian and New Zealand aviators buried at Stonefall, modest costs need to me met. These include payment for the amazing Harrogate Band, our equally amazing professional singer Jo Dexter, the Piper, the sound system, a few wreaths and seating for dignitaries and guests. Following the ceremony, the reception venue for dignitaries, military attendees and guests is kindly donated by OATLANDS MOUNT CLUB in Harrogate but refreshments also need to be funded as invitees continue to increase. Next year, we are also aiming to purchase quality New Zealand and Australian flags for the parade that precedes the ceremony. Until now, we have 'put up' with rather flimsy ones.

Donations can be accepted from any country and most credit and

banks cards are accepted. Thank you in advance for helping.

ANZAC CROSSES

As we work towards expanding THE PURPOSE of the charity, we have, as you will have read in

our August Newsletter, been visiting cemeteries in France where Australian and New Zealand aviators are buried. To this end and to show our presence, we have produced small wooden crosses to place on these graves.

REMEMBERING THOSE BURIED IN FRANCE

On the 12th of September, Richard accompanied members of the British Bordeaux Community who were laying crosses on military graves around several cemeteries in Bordeaux. Whilst at the Bordeaux Protestant Cemetery, Richard came across Percy Mclean who was buried with other casualties of the First World War. Percy was born in Auckland in 1888 and lived with his mother Jane McLean at 2 Baker Street. As a member of the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve NZ/1210, Percy sustained wounds and was transferred to the cargo ship SS Baron Dalmeny that docked in Bordeaux. He was transferred to St.Andre Hospital in Bordeaux where he died of his injuries aged 31 years old. Not wanting to forget this seaman of the RNZNR, Richard placed a cross and spoke his name.

YEVRES COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Although we were not able to attend this event in the north of France, RAFA were there to honour an RNZAF aviator buried in the CWGC cemetery. Together with an English aviator they were attached to RAF 75 Squadron (primarily a New Zealand squadron) stationed at the time at RAF Mepal in Cambridgeshire. On the 29th July 1944, RNZAF Flight Lieutenant Pilot 421403 Noel Alfred Deal Stokes (aged 25) son of Frank and Alice Stokes and husband of Mona Louise Stokes of Wellington, was piloting an Avro Lancaster for a raid on Stuttgart. Attacked by a night fighter, the Rear Gunner, was killed, Stokes dumped the bomb load and turned for home. Unfortunately, having skillfully avoided French homes below him, Stokes ordered the crew to bail before crashing with Wilding still in his position of Rear Gunner. With a street... Rue du Lt. Stokes named after him and his name on a stained glass window in the cathedral, commemorations are held each year in Yevres in his honour and that of RAFVR Sergeant Rear Gunner 1836301 Norman Vaughan Wilding, (aged 19) son of George and Elsie Wilding of Brockweir in Gloucestershire.

The inscription on their joint grave reads...

THEY ARE IN PEACE FOR GOD PROVED THEM AND FOUND THEM WORTHY OF HIMSELF

RUGBY...RAF v FASF

Before the onset of war in 1939, rugby continued to be played. However, by the end of the season in 1940, things had come to a standstill. The infamous Four Nations tournament that included Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales also came to a standstill and so did professional matches. Of course there was a war happening and obviously not enough men. Although there were some constraints lifted with regards to amateur players, some inter-military games took place.

Many charity matches were held around the United Kingdom in order to raise money for war charities. Proceeds raised would often be donated to The Red Cross or used to send eagerly awaited gift parcels to troops abroad.

In France, following a blot on their reputation in 1931, the French were dismissed from playing in the Five Nations tournament. French Rugby League was disbanded during the war but in 1939 France had in fact won the European Rugby League title, beating England. During the occupation, stadiums were closed, players were let go and money was seized from the League. This was a sad time for rugby.

LE CRUNCH... BORDEAUX OCT 2025

On Wednesday 1st October, Le Crunch took place at the André-Moga stadium in Bordeaux. Arriving from the UK were the Royal Air Force Squad who were matched against the French Armée de l'air et de l'espace. On the pitch, supporting the RAF side and shaking hands with both assembled teams, was Air Marshal Allan Marshall OBE who had arrived that afternoon from the UK.

To the support of a large crowd and the immaculately turned-out French Air Force military band, anthems were whole-heartedly sung before the whistle was blown and the game got underway. Much to the disappointment of the English supporters (who were far fewer in number than the French), the RAF were 27-0 down!

Based in Lyon but attending in an official capacity for the RAF, Squadron Leader Pete Rickards and Wing Commander Dave Summers were on hand to cheer for their side.Also there to support the RAF were Squadron Leader Beryl Dennett Stannard RAF (Retd) with her husband Squadron Leader Terry Dennett RAF (Retd), who are Chair and Secretary (respectively) of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Sud Ouest in France. Sitting together in the main stand, we tried our best to cheer the RAF but unfortunately at full time – the result was 48 to the French and 12 for the RAF who had a spurt of energy in the second half.

YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM – ELVINGTON, YORKSHIRE

We continue to promote the YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM at Elvington on the outskirts of York. Below are planned events that will take you to the end of the year. Their theme for 2025 continues to cover the role of the aircraft in the museum and the part they played in World War II during that 12 month period in history leading up to D.Day. Included in that theme recently, was the commemoration of the arrival of the two French Bomber Command Squadrons that were based at Elvington and their subsequent return to Bordeaux, France in October 1945. Their story can been seen on our website on the this link...

https://yorkshireairmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/events

25th October - Props Day

27th October - Half Term Events

9th November - Remembrance Sunday

15th November - Military Model Show

December - Santa Airlines

FIVE BOYS FROM WELLINGTON

Just a reminder for those who haven’t seen this booklet… please take a look. The PDF is downloadable and relates a brief history of five Wellingtonian aviators who are buried in Stonefall Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. You can read the booklet by turning to the WELLINGTON & HARROGATE page or you may go directly here...

MEET THE FAMILY

Richard and I are off to New Zealand at the end of November and are delighted to say that we will be meeting descendants of some of the 23 New Zealand aviators buried in Stonefall cemetery with whom I have been in contact. Although dates and times are not yet finalised, we will hopefully be 'having coffee' and sharing stories with family members of...

UPCOMING EVENTS

There is a planned visit by associates of A.R.C.I.O to lay ANZAC crosses on the graves of New Zealand and Australian aviators who are buried in Leuchars cemetery in Scotland.
During an upcoming two-month visit to New Zealand we will be meeting with the Deputy Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the return of 346 and 347 French Squadrons from RAF Elvington to Bordeaux.