Site News 2010-2012

We hope that this site is not a static site and pages will be continually added as the site grows. This page will list the any squadron association news and any major changes done to the web site and so that regular visitors can keep up with changes.

Memorial Service 2012 Information Saturday 12th May:

The annual 578 Squadron Association reunion will take place on the weekend of Friday 11th May - Sunday 13th May.
As part of the 578 Squadron Association Reunion weekend 2012, there will be the following Services of Remembrance.

Saturday 12th May a service in Selby Abbey on at 10.30 a.m. Followed by a short act of remembrance at the Balkholme Memorial (approx. 12.00pm)

On Sunday 13th a service in Burn village chapel at 10.30 with attendance at the Squadron wayside memorial on the A19.
All are welcome to attend.

14th March 2012:

It is with sadness that we have to report the Death on 14th March 2012 of Norman Davidson Chairman of the 578 squadron Association 2008-2009. Norman Davidson was a wireless mechanic on the squadron and the first non aircrew member of the association to hold the post of Chairman. He was an enthusiastic member of the association and a driving force in the establishment of an association website. His input will be sorely missed - Paul Waites Webmaster.

Nov 2011: Join us on facebook:

In wanting to encourage greater participation and feedback from 578 friends and families, and in particular fellow grandkids, Emily Horton (Our new LK-Times Editor) has created a blog-style webpage on Facebook, the social networking site. This is an informal webpage available to Facebook members where people can join with the common interest of the 578 Association. The group aims to be a platform with which to reach out to the younger 578 generations who frequent Facebook and provide them with a younger perspective on all things 578! So far, since its inception in September, we have attracted 39 ‘friends’ of 578 who would like to learn more about 578 and the Association’s activities and news. Although opinion amongst the older generations is divided over Facebook regarding its perceived use of information, I do believe that much of this is unfounded given the user is well-informed in how to navigate the website. I thus recommend you to employ the expertise of one of your younger members’ of the family to show you who we have met and what we have learnt and shared between our new members in five months. I suspect most of your computer-literate grand-kids will be on it - there’s more than 800 million of us using it after all! In all, I feel that Facebook is a critical part of 578’s future in bringing together those who might not otherwise get in touch with the Association. My thanks foremost go to John ‘Bud’ Howard for being the first vet to join us . Thanks Bud!

(http://www.facebook.com/groups/578SqnBurnAssociation/)

April 2011: Page update:

A new pages added to the "Life at Burn section".

An American Pilot with 578 Squadron: 1st Lt JL/Christenson of the U.S.A.A.F volunteered to fly with the RCAF before the states had entered the war. He flew a tour of operations with 578 squadron.

Memorial Service 2011 Information Saturday 14th May:

The annual 578 Squadron Association reunion will take place on the weekend of Friday 13th May - Sunday 15th May.

As part of the 578 Squadron Association Reunion weekend 2010, there will be the following Services of Remembrance.

Saturday 14th May a service in Selby Abbey on at 10.30 a.m. followed by a short act of remembrance in Selby cemetery.

On Sunday 15th a service in Burn village chapel at 10.30 with attendance at the Squadron wayside memorial on the A19.

All are welcome to attend.

Memorial Service Information Saturday 15th May:

The annual 578 Squadron Association reunion will take place on the weekend of Friday 14th May - Sunday 16th May.

As part of the 578 Squadron Association Reunion weekend 2010, there will be the following Services of Remembrance.

Saturday 15th May a service in Selby Abbey on at 10.30 a.m. followed by a short act of remembrance in Selby cemetery.

On Sunday 16th a service in Burn village chapel at 10.30 with attendance at the Squadron wayside memorial on the A19.

All are welcome to attend.

April 2010: Page update:

A new pages added to the Life at Burn section".

A Trainee Pilot at Burn: Bill Williams. RAFVR 1609792 was a cadet Pilot in 1944 when sent to RAF Burn in August 1944. These are his impressions of the base and Selby.

March 2010: Page updates.

Two new pages added to the "Life at Burn".

Memories of An Australian Airman: Norman MacQueen an Australian Wireless Operator tells of his experiences at Burn.

Overseas Airmen: We have begun cataloguing the the brave souls who traveled far across the seas to join 578 Squadron.

February 2010: Page updates.

Two new pages added to the "In Memoriam" section.

Airmen lost on active service after 578 squadron: We have created a page looking into aircrew who served their time with 578 Squadron only to loose their lives in active service with other units.

A Unique Encounter: Elsa Mearkle the wife of the late Sqn.Ldr. John (Doc) McCabe, Medical Officer at RAF Burn lost her brother as a young Pilot Officer. He lies in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. These are her experiences of visiting the cemetery.

January 2010: Home page update.

We have learned that the first occupants of Burn Airfield were in fact No. 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF. Converting crews for the Consolidated Liberator for duties in the Middle East, they moved to RAF Burn in June 1942. The units stay was short lived however and it was disbanded in October 1942.

The introductory home-page has been updateded to include this.