The RAF Wings weekend, working with and for Luxembourgers

The RAF Wings Reception at the Residence... hope they all have labels on the inside!

Whilst much of the work at the Embassy does focus on political reporting and providing information to Ministers in London, some of the most significant work that we carry out is in fact reaching out to involve Luxembourgers.

As part of the annual RAF association weekend, the Ambassador laid wreaths at a 1943 Halifax crash site in Macherwald woods and at the commune of Bech. Many of the local community came out to see the memorial and at the reception held in Bech, it was not only fascinating to see objects recovered from the crash sites, but also to hear the stories of Luxembourgers who had been there during the War and see them exchanging these stories with current and past RAF officers.

Unveiling the plaque at the Halifax crash site

The Ambassador laying a wreath in Bech

 

The Ambassador also held a reception for the RAF Association at the Residence and each year has taken the opportunity to present the Luxembourg National Military Museum with British World War II items to put on display. Last year she presented an RAF officer’s uniform to the museum, but this year they put in a rather unusual request for World War II shell cases.

RAF Coningsby

 

Eventually some were found at the Republic of Ireland National Artillery School and made a lengthy journey via Northern Ireland, Brize Norton, Brussels and then, finally, on to Luxembourg and the Embassy basement where I discovered them! It certainly isn’t everyday that you open an official bag to find six large shell cases and two grenades.  

WWII artefacts in Bech

 

Many thanks to all who came to the RAFA weekend, and to the guides and scouts who did such a wonderful job looking after the guests at the Residence reception.

Air Marshall Sturley briefing the Guides and Scouts before the Reception