70th Ceremony
70th Anniversary Ceremony at Englændergraven, Tarm, Denmark
12 March 2015 1300 – 1400 h
Arrival of honour guard Hjemmeværnet, dignitaries, and family members of ME449 Crew
Hjemmeværnet
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Dignitaries, family members of ME449 Crew,
and invited guests
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Opening comments
Kirsten Kolby, Chairperson, Tarm Parish Council
Photo by Dan Michener
Danish National Anthem
Unveiling of plaque
Søren Flensted, Commonwealth War Graves Commission (Denmark Team)
removing the RAF flag to unveil the memorial plaque
Photo by Aase Flensted
Honouring the Fallen
wreath-laying by families of Harvey Porter and Donald Morris
Jarred Rice, Mitchell Rice, Karen Rice
cousins of Harvey Porter
Photo by Anders Straarup
Lynne Marsden and Raymond Morris
niece and brother of Donald Morris
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Last Post, one-minute silence, The Rouse
Trumpeter Jakob Jensen
Ode of Remembrance
RAAF Wing Commander A. M. O’Leary
Hymn “Den signede dag”
choir “Morgengry”
Prayer
Priest, Hans Petur Kirkegaard
Song “En lærke letted”
choir “Morgengry”
Official speeches
Lars Damgård
Honorary Consul
British Embassy
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Kristian Ahle
Culture Committee
Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality
Photo by Dan Michener
Wing Commander A.M. O’Leary
Royal Australian Air Force
Australian Embassy
Photo by Birthe Holme Kasch
Wreath laying by dignitaries
Wing Commander A. M. O’Leary OAM, Royal Australian Air Force
Rebecca Marshall, Second Secretary, Australian Embassy in Denmark
Photo by Anders Straarup
Ole Rønnest MBE
Frihedskampens Frednings- og Mindefond
Photo by Aase Flensted
Kristian Ahle
Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality
Photo by Aase Flensted
Wreath laying by family members of crew who baled out
from left to right
Trish Haddon, daughter of Pilot Stan Slater
Nigel Fairclough and Charlie Grayshon, son and great grandson of Wireless Operator Thomas Fairlcough
Gail Michener, daughter of Navigator Stoney Mitchell
Sue Westcott, daughter of Bomb Aimer Mervyn Bertie
Dorthea Madsen, first Danish helper of Stoney Mitchell and Merv Bertie
Photo by Anders Straarup
Closing comments
invitation for other attendees to lay their flowers and wreaths then proceed to reception at Bechs Hotel, Tarm
Wreaths at Englændergraven 12 March 2015
Photo by Dan Michener
Photo by Aase Flensted
See the news item on TV MidtVest covering highlights of the ceremony at Englændergraven.
Learn more about the History of Englændergraven