ONE million pounds is needed to put up a permanent memorial to the tens of thousands of bomber crew who died during the Second World War.

There were more than 20 bomber bases scattered throughout York and North and East Yorkshire during the war.

But although 55,000 men lost their lives in service, a monument has never been built to Bomber Command and – unlike their comrades in fighter squadrons – a special medal was never commissioned for the airmen.

Now Selby campaigner Dave McSherry has joined a national campaign to raise money for a memorial in Regent’s Park, London.

“Two million pounds is required for a monument, a site and future maintenance,” he said. “Just over one million has been acquired from private funding. A site has been proposed in Regent’s Park and the form of the monument is being considered – it will possibly be a six-man bomber crew walking out to their aircraft.”

Mr McSherry was interested in the memorial campaign after becoming involved with the 578 Squadron Burn Association when he represented Hemingbrough on Selby District Council.

“They had one VC at Burn and God knows how many distinguished service orders and distinguished flying crosses,” he said.

“Sixty years ago may be a long time, but there should be a memorial. I wouldn’t have the courage to fly in one of those things. They were really brave.”

He said whatever discrimination existed against Bomber Command at the end of the war should now be laid to rest.

“In part, this was due to the prejudices of politicians and senior officers over area bombing, such as in Dresden,” said Mr McSherry.

“Whatever machinations existed during and after the war, 55,000 crew gave their lives. It is not them that should bear any criticism. Of them, you could ask no more.”

As well as Burn, there were bomber crews based at Snaith, Riccall, Elvington, Rufforth, Pocklington, Linton-on-Ouse and Full Sutton, among another dozen in our area.

National campaign organiser Doug Radcliffe said: “The memorial will proudly commemorate the airmen who were killed.

“They died in blazing, crashing aircraft whilst fighting against the enemies of our free world. It is nothing short of a national disgrace that Britain has so far failed to properly recognise this brave and talented group of individuals, who helped give us lasting freedom from the horrors the Germans inflicted across Europe.”

To donate money to the fund, send cheques, payable to Bomber Command Memorial Fund, to Bomber Command Association, RAF Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London, NW9 5LL.