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Memorial Service organised for second world war hero
10/01/2024
Clifford Storr passed away in December and was one of the last surviving air crew from WW2 Bomber Command
A Memorial Service is being organised for a second world war hero who it’s believed carried out more operational return air sorties over enemy territory than any other person.
Clifford Storr passed away early in December. The former Lancaster bomber navigator celebrated his 100th birthday at Seccombe Court care home in Adderbury last June. He was one of the last surviving air crew from WW2 Bomber Command and served as a flight lieutenant on bombers based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
Mr Storr completed 25 bombing raids and then volunteered to do 25 more. Many of his comrades lost their lives completing their duties. Mr Storr’s aircraft came under enemy fire and he couldn’t follow the pilot’s suggestion of bailing out as his parachute had opened in the plane.
Last year, speaking to the BBC, he explained what happened:
“The bullets were whizzing through. You could see the tracer bullets whizzing the length of the aircraft. The pilot said ‘look blokes, if you can bail out, bail out’. They all said ‘no, we’ve lived together, we’ve drunk together. If you’re not going to jump then we’re not going to jump’.”
The aircraft crash-landed, but he and the other airman emerged unscathed.
The Banbury branch of the RAF Association arranged for Mr Storr to visit the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln last November. Here he was able to honour and remember the friends he had lost during the war.
Following his passing Mr Storr received a short Service of Remembrance and Committal in December, but the RAF Association in Banbury and his family have agreed more should be done to honour and remember such a unique member of the armed forces.
A Memorial Service has now been organised. It will take place at St Mary’s Church in Banbury on January 31st.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam