One of the last surviving Lancaster Bomber navigators pays tribute to fallen soldiers

A care home in Banbury helped World War Two veteran, and one of the last surviving aircrew from WW2 Bomber Command, honour fallen soldiers. 

In the lead up to Remembrance Day, Care UK’s Seccombe Court, on Gardner Way, took 100-year-old resident Clifford Storr to the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to fulfil his wish of paying tribute to those who served in the Bomber Command.

Clifford was born on 27^th June 1923 in West Yorkshire. He joined the Royal Air Force aged just 17 and in 1942 he volunteered for the bomber command where he trained as a Lancaster Bomber navigator, serving as a Flight Lieutenant on bombers based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

He completed two tours – and more than 50 operations. Knowing he had only 50 percent chance of survival for each mission, he survived, against the odds, even making it out of a crash landing uninjured. 

Clifford found the hardest part of being a Lancaster Bomber during the war was losing so many friends and comrades. He “never knew if it was his turn next and would see the empty places at breakfast the next morning”.

On the day of the visit, Clifford, along with team members from Seccombe Court, travelled to Lincoln for a tour of the IBCC which recognises the efforts of Bomber Command during World War Two and continues to teach generations about the role they played during the War.

To make his trip even more memorable Clifford was provided with a limo to take him to Lincoln courtesy of Messer Humphris of Banbury.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by IBCC Chief Executive, Mrs Nicky van der Drift and fellow VIPs, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon, Sidney MacFarlane MBE, and Air Vice Marshal Paul Robinson OBE, who all spent time chatting and sharing memories with Clifford. 

With the support of his newfound friends and team members from Seccombe Court, Clifford visited the Memorial Spire and Walls of Names, which are the heart of the IBCC. To commemorate the fallen soldiers who served in the Bomber Command, Clifford laid a wreath, and everyone joined him for a moment of silence.

Clifford said: “It was a day to remember. It was such a thrill to be taken to be the IBCC. Keeping these memories alive is so important. Meeting other retired RAF personnel was an honour as well as being able to lay a wreath for all the fallen soldiers, especially locating the names of two of my crew members who did not survive, and placing a poppy for them was humbling.”

Wojciech Kuczkowski, General Manager at Seccombe Court, said: “Inspired by Clifford’s history as one of the last surviving Lancaster Bomber, it was important for us to help grant his wish to honour those who have served in the military just like he has. 

“Here at Seccombe Court, we recognise the importance of paying tribute to those who served in the Armed Forces, as many of the residents have, especially in the lead up to Remembrance Day. 

“We want to say a massive thank you to the International Bomber Command Centre for helping Clifford fulfil his wish and continuing to keep an important part of history alive and ensure people like Clifford’s legacy is remembered for generations to come.”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Seccombe Court incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The home provides full-time residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care.