ALPINE 44 CLUB

ALPINE 44 CLUB

The 60th Anniversary Commemoration in memory of the members of 31 and 34 Squadron S.A.A.F. who failed to return from a mission to northern Italy on 12th October 1944. Held at Air Force Memorial Bays Hill and at Swartkop SAAF Museum, Pretoria, South Africa on 26th September 2004.

AIR FORCE MEMORIAL BAYS HILL.

-FLYPAST by 4 of 41 Squadron Cessna 185 aircraft in missing man formation.

-WELCOME from Martin Urry

-The event from Allied/SAAF perspective - by Col Gordon Lennox
-The event from Italian perspactive - by Beppe Barbero
-Reading from the bible and prayer - by Rev E Pons
-Names of Crews - By Charles Nel

-Laying of Wreaths
- 1.South African Air Force - Brig Gen D E Page SM MMM, Director, Air Force Heritage. Representing Chief of the SAAF
- 2.Royal Air Force Association - Peter McLean
- 3.Australian High Commission - Tim Huggins
- 4.Italian Defence Force - Col Pil L Telesca
- 5.Alpine 44 Club - Lt Col Dirk Nel DFC
- 6.South African Air Force Association - Leon du Plessis
- 7.South African Air Force Association, Johannesburg Branch - Keith Dell
- 8.Alpine National Association - Guido Scalco/Mario Ramanzin
- 9.Warsaw Flights - Andrezej Romanowicz
-10.Zonderwater Block - Arturo Costella
-11.Families and Friends.

-Last Post & 1 minute silence
-Benediction - Rev Bryan Jones.

SWARTKOP-SAAF MUSEUM

WELCOME by Glenn Brownrigg and Rev E Pons.

Presentations by:
Lt Col Dirk Nel DFC
Anne Storm - "My father's letter"
Charles Nel - "Finding Charlie"
Col Graham du Toit MMM
Jennifer Sugden - Violin
Alpini Choir
Rev Bryan Jones - Grace.

Notes:
Martin Urry is a nephew of Major Selwyn S Urry, Pilot KH158 31 Squadron
Glenn Brownrigg is a brother-in-law of WO1 R.P.Whitelaw, KG874 31 Squadron
Lt Col Dirk Nel DFC was Base Commander at Celone, Foggia
Anne Storm is the daughter of F/O T.R.Millar, RAAF, KH158 31 Squadron
Charles Nel is the nephew of Lt C.P. Nel, Pilot KG999, 31 Squadron

ALPINE 44 CLUB
The relatives and interested parties had now been happily formed into the Alpine 44 club. Guests were entertained to lunch at the
Irene Country Restaurant on September 25th.

SIGHTSEEING
Naturally guests took the opportunity to visit Sun City and the game reserve at Pilanesberg,
and enjoy the liesure and dining facilities of Johannesburg hotels,
as well as the pleasures of Dullstroom countryside.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Photographs include some that have been kindly provided by Michelle and Derek Orwin, and James Urry [also Jean & Martin Urry]

 

 

 

 

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