Memorial Title

617 Squadron RAF - Painting

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial painting commemorating 617 Squadron RAF at Bamford.

Images

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location:
St John the Baptist's Church
Main Rd (A6013)
Bamford
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
S33 0AY

NGR:
SK 20759 83375
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window.)

Location details:
The memorial is on the south wall of the nave.

Type

Overall type: Painting.

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.

Description:

A framed and glazed watercolour painting accompanied by a framed and glazed caption. The painting is of an Avro Lancaster bomber banking over Derwent Reservoir with the Howden Dam in the background, and is signed T G Watson. The caption is in black calligraphy and both frames are of plain moulding.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Watercolour	Paper	230	370	-	Fair
Frame	Wood, card, glass	410	530	10	Fair
Caption	Card	85	170	-	Fair
Frame	Wood, glass	115	200	10	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Bottom right of painting:

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	Second World War (1939-1945)	Totals
Action	Attack on the Ruhr Dams (Operation Chastise) (16–17 May 1943)
Number died	0	0
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	0	0

T. G. Watson '80:

Caption:

This Picture was presented to Bamford
Parish Church by 617 Squadron, RAF
on the occasion of the Squadron's disbandment
in 1982. It marks the fact that the Church
was used as a turning-point by members of
the Squadron during their practice runs over
the Derwent Dams in rehearsal for the Great
Dams Raid of 1943.

Administration

Custodian: Presumed to be the parochial church council.

Local authorities:
From WW2: Bamford Parish Council; Chapel en le Frith Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Bamford and Thornhill Parish Council; High Peak Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History

17th April, 1951: The church lies within the Peak District National Park designated on that date.

21 April 1967: The church was listed Grade II*, Heritage List for England number 1087859.

1980: The picture was painted by T G Watson.

1982: The picture was presented to the Church by 617 Squadron.

9th April, 2014: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition and cared for.

References

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