Lynching of RAF and 8th Air Force crewmen

Thanks for sharing this story, P-Popsie! He was repatriated late, but lived. Do you know what became of him in later life?

 

Yes as it happens i went to film school with his nephew who told me the story now this as always is from memory and i am still searching for an article that was published on him in the Australian magazine about Ten years ago.

So after repatriation so the story goes he was given a large bulk payment for his military pay had been acumulating since May 1943. He aparently became involved in a Flying boat operation that ended up with him in prison for debts and looking at a substantial sentence. A local newspaper became involved which resulted in the King himself pardoning the Dambuster on the condition he return to Australia from there i know no more.

A good chap to ask would be Martin Bull,most of what i can tell you is from memory and the limited notes i have on my computer. Books locked in alladins cave. So any way if by chance any of the Aussies are reading this and have a copy of the magazine i mentioned please please and you get the idea.LOL.

 

Here is Tony Burcher's autograph from my collection ; -



After the war, he returned to Australia, served with the RAF, returned to England in the 1980s where he lived near Cambridge. He returned again to Australia where he passed away some years ago.

Apparently, he did not wish to dwell on his experiences during the war, did not attend Dambuster reunions, did not sign aviation prints, or write his memoirs, etc.

His autograph today is very rare and sought-after by 617 Squadron enthusiasts. In 1986, he was persuaded to add his signature to a limited edition philatelic cover in support of the RAF Museum, and commemorating Holders of the DFM.

Also included on the cover were Dams survivors Len Sumpter and Bill Howarth. A printed card inside gives full details of the careers of all who signed the cover. At the very bottom appears this note : -

'Flight Lieutenant A F Burcher DFM
We have been unable to obtain any information on the career of Flight Lieutenant Burcher or his award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.'

As I said, Tony Burcher wanted no publicity.

It's as well to remember 'Freddie' Tees, rear gunner and only survivor of Ottley's crew, who committed suicide in later life.

Wartime events may appear one way to us, but those who were there were sometimes affected for life by what they had seen and done.

We must respect this.

 

Id agree with that Martin, but I would also in total war hoist that thought onto the civilian population too. They too saw and did the unmentionable. All wars have affected the lives of many on just these forums alone.

2 great unlces on the Memorials in France from ww1, as a kid I saw the effect it had on their spinster sisters and every time I entered their shared flat was under the impression I had entered a mausolium with pictures and momentos, it certainly affected their lives for the rest of their lives.

My mother, to this day wont have a good word said about anythig German, we maybe should be more educated and more feeling today, but she has a base instinct, bombed out of home and friends killed in bombing, brother on the Dunkirk memorial, its affected her, and thru her myself and brother and her other 8 brothers and sisters.

Her dad my Grandad bty sgt Major in Burma on the retreat and on the reconquest, his stories are horrendous, and dont know if good or bad thing, the main reason for both my brothers and my own enlistment in later life. His medical condition on returning fromb Burmese theatre stayed with him until he died in his ninetess, still wearing his corps of commisionair uniform and telling anyone who would listen about the bl,,,y Japs. It sticks and affects many for years later, My own father and his brother both on Atlantic and arctic convoys....The day he died of cancer filled up with morphine, his last story to us and his actions, he was back there, sowing up canvas bags with dead picked up from somewhere. It affected him and thru him many more.
Even my brother, he may not talk of it, but his QGM says enough for me, and he now shuns anything to do with stories or military. Its affected him at an even later date...Im lucky, I laugh it off...I got my war pension in another age too, but Ive seen the casualties from the Falklands and Belfast, Ive shared the hospitals and remedial centres with them, war no matter which war affects all and for years to come afterwards, and my point is not just the military, it affects civilians and their families, civilians in this case of total war not having the discipline or cadre of the uniformed services are not always able to hold their intial base insticts for revenge. Military dont either, we know that.
When we remember those who fought and served, I also remember those civilians who didnt but suffered just as much. And Ill never agree but will always understand the base human instinct for revenge. Most wars are based on that instinct after all.

 

Well that got me told off, wife reminds me about her own lot, Boughton village Northampton, small very small place, 3 of her great uncles on plaque in village hall, all killed in ww1. Shes not military or any interest but assures me it affected her family in no different way. Im not letting her near pc anymore. Shes got her own toys.

 

Martin thankyou for adding details to my narration about Tony Burcher. I whish i had realized at the time the importance of Mr Burcher. I have since had a falling out with his Nephew and we are no longer in contact { I may just have to eat some Crow}

I am slso saddened to hear of "Freddie" Tees The scars of war are often deep and unseen.

There should be a PM for you Martin if you get a chance.
Cheers

 

urqh. yes; sadly, yes; all you say is unfortunately true. I can but only add from i believe Ben Franklin " Those who choose to ignore History are destined to repeat it." Thats why we have the Ode/Salute/ "Lest we forget".

Honours to you and your family urqh the threads of history and how they intertwine is always fascinating. Sorry to agree with your missus but the tapestry of sadness is woven well into our soiciety re: story earlier thread about Elderly German woman. I have other interesting ones, Old Kosovanian woman has flashbacks when driven to Singleton Barracks in NSW, and refuses to exit bus, but wont bore you. The thing is to never forget and to try to understand so as to never repeat the same tragedy.
Just my thoughts.