My father Vincent Gilchrist Cowen and uncle Mick Cowen were both in 460 Squadron in Lancaster,s , dad was a navagator and Flying Officer , uncle Mick was a Pilot Officer , both grew up in Mackay Queensland .

What a great tribute! 🥰. My dad was a Lanc pilot RAAF/RAF at Stradishall 186 Squadron and similarly trained except for the addition of pilot training at Point Cook. I wonder if they ever met up…

Good on you Jack.

It's amazing that guys involved in this are today the tallest blade of grass, where when I was young and going to school - we did Anzac day service (I don't think it's being done completely across the board today, but back in the 80s and before it was MANDATORY in the ciriculum) and the WW2 guys were plentiful and in their late 50s , though the WW1 guys were thinning out but in their 80s mostly, but they were STILL THERE and usually a couple would bring in their Enfield .303s and pull em apart and show the little kids. Today the War2 guys are thinning out and the WW1 guys are long gone now and you probably arent even allowed to bring the 303 out of the house, even though it's educational..

My grandfather, Robert Cecil Compton was a british gunner assigned to the RAAF in 1943. He ended up flying with the 460 squadron out of RAF Binbrook. He flew his 30 mission tour of duty (+1 extra) in both the wellington and the lancaster, and came home to Oxfordshire. He had 4 daughters, 2 sons and literally so many granchildren and great grandchildren. He died at home of a heart attack in 1968. His aussie pilot once made the trip back to England to come and find him, he was one year too late.

Hi there , My grandad was a rear gunner in the 460, and I was wondering if you would mind sharing some digital copies of the photos you have? We lost a couple of years back.

Thanks for allowing us to hear Jack telling his own tales, still very erudite and sharp as a tack. my favourite images were him sitting on top of his gunner bubble and the stunning pic of rosalee. Thanks

An old mate of mine who served in the RAAF / RAF in the UK during 1942 - 44 would relate hilarious tales of his exploits during the war. Like many others he never spoke of the missions he flew on - all he wanted to do was reminisce about the drinking, gambling, partying, breaking into the officer's mess to steal grog in the early hours, chasing "a bit of skirt", racing motor bikes and open top sports cars around the narrow roads etc. His name was Gordon Grant. A fine gentleman who I respected for other 30 years without ever appreciating how extensive his contribution to the war effort was. Gordon flew with 460 Squadron and then 109 Squadron. Here is his biography published by the Australian National University: adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grant-charles-robert-28124 Gordon would have been considered as an old man compared to most of his fellow airmen. He was 30 when he flew his first mission over occupied Europe.

A great video memoir containing a rich collection of photos. Check out Jack's page on the Virtual War Memorial Australia - here vwma.org.au/explore/people/803972

Hi John, I just realized that you did this video and quite recently in fact. Our father passed away in April 07. We still have his flight logs, meddles and an amazing panoramic photo of the 460 surrounding a Lanc from the spring of 45 I think. Hope you are well.

My Father, Oscar Landry was in Binbrook with the 460 from May 44 to June 45. He was a Canadian who was assigned to the 460 and went to a Squadron Reunion in Australlia in the early 90s. From what I understand , of the 30 missions he flew, most were bombings of German Industrial cities like Hamburg. Koln, Bremen and Frankfurt. They also flew relief missions over Holland. This is an awesome video:)