A fitting tribute to the Aussies of Tiger Force

Aussie airmen have been honoured with a memorial at the former base where they trained to take on the might of the Japanese military.

The Lancaster propeller blade memorial was unveiled at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre – which was home to 467 Squadron RAAF from June to September 1945.

The squadron had previously been based at Waddington and flew bombing raids over Germany.

Its move to Metheringham, near Lincoln, was to train to fight in the Far East as part of Tiger Force.

Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, which meant that the men at Metheringham could finally go home.

The poignant unveiling ceremony drew veterans, aviation historians, serving RAAF and RAF personal and Wing Commander John Ibbotson, representing the Australian High Commission.

Flight Lieutenant Jann White a RAAF exchange officer based at Waddington, gave a moving speech in which he paid tribute to all those who served.

"Following on from VE day in 1945 467 Squadron moved from RAF Waddington to RAF Metheringham to work up to find another fight in the Far East," he said.

"This service is to proudly unveil a memorial to the disbandment of the squadron here at Metheringham airfield on September 30, 1945.

"The straight rigidness of the memorial under this ensign proudly represents the courage and sense of duty of the young members of 467 in the face of a fierce enemy."

Melfyn Rees (88), a leading aircraftsman with 467, said the memorial was very fitting.

"Coming this ceremony brings back a lot of memories," said Mr Rees, who lives in South Yorkshire.

"A lot of people went up in Lancasters and never came back.

"The Aussies were good people to work with and I think this memorial is very fitting."

For the full story see Saturday's Lincolnshire Echo.