OCTOBER 2018 / NR 227 PUBLISHED EVERY THREE MONTHS

Leo Hendrikx in his best uniform

Maj Gen M Verbeek, Dep. Commander RNLAF, congratulates Leo Hendrikx The last remaining Dutch Spitfire Pilot of ww2 Earlier this year, our member, ming many more obstacles they eventually cally light and supple, and I couldn’t resist 95-year-old Leo Hendrikx, was boarded a ship at Bilbao, bound for Curacao. making a few rolls” presented with the “Draag Insigne From there a tramp steamer took them to Whilst at the bar of the “Brevet Flying Gewonden” (Insignia for the woun- New York, and eventually, a train to Ontario Club” in London, he met an English pilot who ded), the Dutch equivalent of a in Canada to join the Dutch Army there. told him he would be flying to Gilze-Rijen. Purple Heart. Leo sailed to on board a pas- When Leo said he was from Horn, the pilot The Insignia was handed to Leo by Maj senger ship to join the ‘Princes Irene Brigade’ agreed to take him along. From Gilze-Rijen Gen M Verbeek, Dep. Commander RNLAF, but wasn’t happy there. After a visit to he hitched a lift to the recently liberated at a ceremony in Horn, Limburg. London, and tea with H.M Queen Eindhoven and the following day found a The Latin inscription on the in- Wilhelmina, he was tested for lift to Weert where, in his best uniform, he stood out from the troops in their combat signia is: “Vulneratus nee Victus”, service with the RAF and on 15 May gear. When he arrived at Horn, where there ‘Wounded but not beaten’. Leo 1943, he transferred to the RAFVR was still fighting going on, he crept through was not beaten and is still active, as trainee aircrew. a hedge to reach his home where his family often giving speeches to various In September he travelled back came out of their cellar to greet him. audiences. His story, below, ex- to Canada for Elementary Flying He stayed three days, then returned to plains why he is a familiar figure Training on Fairchild PT-19 Cornells Gilze-Rijen and later flew back to England in on the speech circuit and why he at De Winter, Alberta, where he a USAAF Dakota. was awarded the insignia. qualified top of his class. This was Continuation on page 3 On 14 May 1941, a year af- followed by training on the Harvard REGULAR ITEMS ter the Netherlands was occupied by German IIB, and on 21 April 1944 he was awarded Agenda Page 2 forces, Leo Hendrikx and three of his pals his wings. In May ’44 Leo sailed back to Announcements Page 3 began a journey to escape to England. For England for further training at No 5 A F U, more than a year they criss-crossed RAF Tern Hill. Chairman’s Chat Page 3 where they faced dangerous hardships, in- On a quiet afternoon, his instructor took Coming Events Page 4 cluding arrests and imprisonment. Two of the him to one of the Spitfires on the platform. Looking Back Page 5-6 Group returned to Holland but Leo and his After checking Leo’s cockpit drill he told him Club Limburg News Page 7 pal Paul Bartens pressed on. After overco- to: ‘try it out’. Leo reported “It flew fantasti- 1 RAFA AMSTERDAM BRANCH THE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2018 The Royal Air Forces Association Announcements The Chairman’s Chat Welcome to new Associate Member Mr N Loveth Great news! The RAFA Amsterdam Branch has for the First time in her Membership In November we shall be sen- 65 year history its own RAFA Liaison Officer (RAFALO). He is Sqdn. Ldr. ding out reminders for subscription Graeme Bell RAF, who is stationed at the Dutch Air Force Base Eindhoven. We ex- payments. These reminders will also tend a warm welcome to Graeme and hope that our relationship will be fruitful. apply to anniversary members. Bingo An annual Branch event of which members may not be aware, is that each year As stated in the Chairman’s Chat, we send tulip and daffodil bulbs to Dame Vera Lynn, a Life member of the branch. we will no longer stage bingo eve- nings at the Drie Hoven Care Home. This tradition was started by bulb grower Pete Pryde, who would travel each year, The bingo evenings announced for with his son, to Sussexdown to plant bulbs in the gardens of the home. Pete would 11 October, 8 November and 13 also call in on Dame Vera to deliver flowers to her. Sadly, Pete is no longer with us, December are cancelled. but we have continued to ensure Dame Vera has the pleasure of some beautiful flowers coming in to bloom in her garden, at the time of her birthday. It is also a reminder to her of our appreciation for all the years she supported our branch at the Spring Charity Balls.

For the past 15 years our branch has staged the monthly bingo evening at the Drie Are you interested in aviation, Hoven care home in Amsterdam West. The monies raised at the bingo evenings have time to spare and live within range between € 1200 to €1500 a year, most of which is donated to various causes. a 60 km radius of the Aviodrome Museum, Lelystad? The Aviodrome For example: last year 1,000 was sent to the RAF Benevolent Fund. Unfortuna- € museum is looking for volunteers as: tely, as the home will soon close and the numbers attending the monthly bingo stewards, engineers, and other tasks. If you want to find out more, email evenings have dropped considerably, making them no longer viable, we have Layenda Simmerman: therefore, with much regret, ended the bingo sessions. Our only source of income [email protected] henceforth will be, apart from the subscriptions, the monies from the raffles at the Text from page 1 continued BBQ and Christmas Lunch – all the more reason for members to attend. In December1944 he was posted to 34 The branch committee is concerned about the future of the branch and we are O.T.U. RAF Kirton in Lindsey for final training on the Spitfire as a fighter pilot. His next very much aware that unless any other present (younger) members come forward move was in March 1945 when he was pos- to take over the reins, we may have to cease operating as a RAFA branch. What ted to 322 (Dutch) Squadron operating from could happen after that, we do not know; but early next year the committee hope an airstrip near Schijndel. On 1 April 1945, Easter Sunday, Leo was to meet with our Branch President Air Commodore Chris Lorraine, together with shot down whilst flying as number 2 for RAFALO S/L Graeme Bell, and Limburg Club Chairman S/L Rex Thompson to discuss ‘Peuter’ Janssen, one of the best pilots on the squadron. Leo crash landed and escaped the issue. Meanwhile we shall, once again be responsible for the organisation of from his burning aircraft. ‘Peuter’ Janssen the Remembrance Ceremony on 10 November as well as the Christmas Lunch at was also hit but managed to escape capture. the Mercure Hotel Amsterdam West on 16 December. I hope we can rely on your Leo, however, was arrested by the Germans and hospitalised, eventually ending up at presence at both events. Apeldoorn where he was liberated by the Finally, as this will be the last bulletin for this year and although rather early, we Canadians. They moved him to the Canadian Hospital in Nijmegen, after which he was wish all members and their families a wonderful transferred to hospital at Cosford, and so Christmas and a Happy New Year. ended the war for Leo. On 26 June 1946, after treatments at various establishments, Leo was declared medically fit. To be concluded Source and photos Wikepedia and NLMOD

3 RAFA AMSTERDAM BRANCH THE BULLETIN OCOBER 2018 Greetings from your new Coming Events RAFALO! 10 November Remembrance Ceremony As in previous years, we are again responsible for the organisation of this annual ceremony at De Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats, Kruislaan 126, 1097 GA Amsterdam. The ceremony is attended by various civil dignitaries and uniformed representatives of the na- tionalities of the buried airmen, as well as a choir from the British School of Amsterdam, and also Polish and Dutch school children. Branch members are encouraged to join us to remember all who died in all conflicts across the globe. We assemble from 10.00 hours at the reception building and walk in procession to the 322 war graves at the Common- wealth War Graves Commission site, at 10.45 hours. Refreshment are served afterwards. 12 November Remembrance Sunday The branch will be represented at the service in the beautiful English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof in Amsterdam. Branch members are welcome to attend the service. 16 December Christmas Lunch The event will again take place in the Mercure Amsterdam West, Oude Haagseweg 20, 1066 BW Amsterdam, where you will be welcomed with a drink at 13.00. Lunch is at 13.30 hours when soup will be served, this will be followed by an extensive warm and I am Squadron Leader Graeme cold buffet. Despite rising costs we have managed to keep the price to € 35 per person Bell and I will be taking on the which must be paid before 15th December into our account number: serving RAFALO role for the Amster- NL81 INGB 0002 4773 00 in the name of The Royal Air Forces Association, quoting dam branch. ‘Christmas Lunch’. We cannot accept cash payments on the day. I have recently arrived in Eindho- The special parking fee of € 4 can be paid at the desk. Please let Malcolm Mason ven on posting into the Movements know if you wish to attend: Tel. 0341 250013 or email [email protected] Cooperation Centre Europe (MCCE) as Chief of the Air Transport Cell. I grew up in Lower Largo in Fife, and studied at the University Lancaster R 5512 crashed of Edinburgh before joining the RAF. I am a Logistics Officer by trade with in Amsterdam Noord over 16 years service which means I Early on the evening of 20th day. They were buried, together with the have now qualified for the Long Ser- December 1942, 232 bombers took other crew member at the Nieuwe Oosterbe- vice and Good Conduct medal under off from various airfields in the graafplaats, Amsterdam. the new regulations! east of England. Their target that But it wasn’t until 1962, when excava- I have served at RAF Coltishall, RAF night was Duisburg in Germany, a tions took place for the construction of the Brize Norton, RAF Coningsby (twice), logistical centre in the middle of the IJtunnel, that the remains of the other four DE&S Andover, RAF Kinloss, Head- Ruhr area with its many steel and members were recovered - they are buried quarters Air Command, Northwood chemical factories. at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. Headquarters, Bicester depot and One hundred and eleven of the four- It is the intention to create a memorial to MOD Abbey Wood as well as overseas engine aircraft were Lancaster bombers, each remember and honour the crew of R5512 at service in Oman, Afghanistan and a with seven crew members. Twel- ve aircraft did not return home tour in Kenya for two years. I have - a 5% loss. One of the 12 was been involved with RAFA since my Lancaster R5512 of 97 Squadron first tour at RAF Coltishall in 2003 and from RAF Woodhall Spa. served on various Station Committees An hour after take-off, at and as Senior Station RAFLO at RAF 21.11 hours, R5512 was shot Coningsby. down in flames by German flak I try to regularly attend Confe- and hit the ground in Amster- rence (duty permitting) in order to dam Noord, killing all the crew. keep up to speed with developments Because R5512 was on its way and opportunities, not to mention to the target it had a full bomb European drinks with a chap called load, and its fuel tanks were Malcom Mason. Whatever happened almost full. to him I wonder? I look forward to One crew member managed meeting you as my family and I settle to bail out but he was killed when he hit the the new “Lancaster Museum” in Amsterdam roof of a house on the Adelaarsweg. Of the Noord. On display in the museum will be the into life in the Netherlands. six crew still in the aircraft, two were reco- Lancaster Front Centre Section which Jos de Yours in RAFA, Graeme Bell Sqn Ldr vered by the local fire brigade the following Groot is at present re-constructing.

4 RAFA AMSTERDAM BRANCH THE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2018 10 June – QBP Malcolm Mason attended the Queen’s Birthday embassy, is these days now co-sponsored by various (British) Party (QBP) hosted by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the related companies. Obviously, the sponsors were mentioned Netherlands, Peter Wilson. The event, which took place and praised in the Ambassador’s speech but it was a pity that on a sunny afternoon in the garden of the residence, there were only a few words mentioning the 100th annivers- was very well attended. ary of the (RAF), especially as the present day Sadly, the format of the QBP has changed over the years. Royal Netherlands Air Force has some of its origins that were What used to be a very formal event funded solely by the established in the RAF during WWII.

23 June - Markelo Ricky and Malcolm Mason represented the branch New Zealander who was Navigator on Stirling EF399 of 75 (NZ) at the “Fallen Airmen Memorial Markelo”. Guests were Squadron. She was accompanied by her very young grandson welcomed at the local Grand Cafe. After coffee, a walk, who also spoke. behind a Pipe Band, ended at the General Cemetery The placing of wreaths and flowers at the monument was where 21 crew members of three crashed RAF aircraft followed by ‘The Last Post’ and a minute’s silence. Finally, are buried. In the corner of the Commonwealth Grave after those present had filed past the monument and graves, site is an impressive propeller monument. the Pipe Band led the procession to the Martinus Church for Opposite this, paraded a RNLAF Guard of Honour along a splendid Memorial Concert with some fantastic singing and with the Standards of the Royal Canadian Legion. There was music. In particular, the rendering of “Highland Cathedral” by a strong New Zealand (NZ) the Combined Pipes and presence at the ceremony Drums, Organ, Brass Band and that country’s Ambas- and mixed choirs, was sador, H.E. Ms Lyndal Walker’s superb. The hour-long con- speech was followed by that cert ended with all present of the Burgemeester, Drs Ellen singing “We’ll Meet Again”. Nauta-van Noord. The most memorable words were spo- Later that evening ken by Mrs Frances Wilcockson, there was a the daughter-in-law of Flight Memorial Dinner. Sergeant W K Wilcockson, a

26 June – West Beemster. Early in the morning of 26 June 1943, Lancaster who perished. Jim Beattie paraded the branch standard toge- bomber ED 988 HW-J of 100 squadron RAF, crashed in ther with the standard bearer of the RBL Holland Branch. the field of farmer Joh. Scheringa in West Beemster. The aircraft was on a mission to bomb Gelsenkir- chen but was shot down on the outward journey by a German . The aircraft blew up and one of its engines was thrown over the local church and ended against the very wall of the building where today’s unveiling took place. After being marginally involved with the preparations, Mal- colm Mason, together with Ricky and Pat Beattie, represented the branch at the ceremony. This was held, exactly 75 years after the crash, at the memorial to the seven crew members

5 RAFA AMSTERDAM BRANCH THE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2018 Text from page 5 continued the Australian Embassy, officers from 100 squadron based at RAF The monument was unveiled by Mr Nic van Baar, and New Leeming , RAFA and RBL Chairmen and a large number of local Zealander Jonathan Porrit who had travelled over to attend the residents. Two Edambusters flew over in salute. ceremony; he is the second cousin of Flt Sgt Lawrence Porrit, the Following ‘The Last Post’ and ‘The Silence’, wreaths were mid -upper gunner. placed at the monument by the dignitaries, and members of The simple but touching ceremony was attended by the New the public placed flowers that had been gathered from the field Zealand Ambassador H.E. Ms Lynda Walker, the Burgemeester of where the aircraft crashed. The ceremony ended with the singing the Beemster, the Queen’s Commissioner, a representative from of the National Anthems.

Malcolm Mason with Jim Beattie RAF &RNLAF officers Edambuster fly past 30 June - RAFA Amsterdam Branch BBQ The 30+ guests gathered at the home of Berry and to mark the 100th Anniversary of the founding of The Royal Air Jacobien Verlinden for this very relaxed social event on 30th Force, and the 65th Anniversary of the RAFA Amsterdam Branch. June this year. Afterwards, everyone partook of the good and varied food Our annual BBQ has been a truly RAFA/ Edambusters and drinks and enjoyed basking in the summer sunshine in the event since, for the past several years, Berry and Jacobien company of different generations and interests in a congenial have made their superb home and garden premises avai- and enjoyable manner. A raffle helped towards a net profit for lable to us for this summer occasion. the branch of €280. Due to our hosts, we were able to continue with a RAFA BBQ At the end of the day many very contented people returned tradition that has taken place for the past 47 years, so we extend to their homes after what one senior lady remarked “That was a to them our sincere thanks. potje gezelligheid”. No-one could have expressed it better. The weather was extremely kind to us this year and this was Once again, our thanks to our Edambusters hosts for an added bonus to the occasion. After a welcome word to all making this event possible. by Chairman Malcolm, everyone raised their glasses of ‘bubbly’ John Bright

After a welcome word to all by Chairman Malcolm, everyone raised their glasses of ‘bubbly

6 RAFA AMSTERDAM BRANCH THE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2018 RAFA Club Limburg

Programme RAF Association Club Limburg - Year 2018 / 2019 Club Evenings September Club Closed October 22 Horse Racing November 19 Autumn Bingo December 10 Christmas Buffet/Raffle (Start at 19:00 hrs) January 2019 Club Closed February 2019 Club Closed Commemorations October 5 Lancaster Memorial Service Brunssum November 11 (TBC) Remembrance Sunday Sittard November 11 Remembrance Sunday Brunssum November 15 (TBC) Monument voor Verdraagzaamheid Haelen November 24 COM Limburg Remembrance Service Sittard Club members and potential attendees to the remaining programme for 2018 should note that the Horse Racing evening event has been changed to 22 October 2018 (not 15 Oct as previously advertised). Looking Forward The membership subscription for Club Limburg for 2019 is € 20.00. a/c No: 717097 in the name of: STG Royal Air Force Association Note subscriptions and payments for functions can be made in cash Amsterdam, Halfersstraat 7, 6077 CX Sint Odilienberg. IBAN details to the Hon Treasurer (Rex Thompson) or through the ING Bank supplied upon request.

The composition of the Club Committee is presently as follows: Reminder Chairman/Hon Treasurer/Hon Secretary Rex Thompson Gatherings of Club Limburg are Vice Chairman Tony Randal held in Café Rumpener Beemden, Heugerstraat 2a, 6443 BS Brunssum RAFALO Sergeant Martin Hollow (next to the Rumpener Sporthal). Welfare Officer Vacant We hope to see you there at Committee Member Vacant the dates noted above.

7 RAFA AMSTERDAM BRANCH THE BULLETIN OCTOBER 2018