27 September 2025
Ceremony in memory of the crew of Short Stirling MkIII BK653
RAF 214 Squadron
Bonneuil-les-Eaux (Oise)
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En français 
On 27 September, on the initiative of the Communauté de Communes de l'Oise Picarde and the Hauts-de-France region, two memorial stones were unveiled in tribute to Royal Air Force bomber crews in the village of Bonneuil-les-Eaux.
The first ceremony took place near the crash site of the Short Stirling BK653, RAF 214 Squadron, shot down on the night of 16th to 17th April 1943.
In the presence of a large crowd, including local and regional authorities, flag bearers of patriotic Associations and the Bonneuil-les-Eaux brass band, Ms Nicole Cordier, departmental councillor and mayor of the village, began the tribute with a welcome speech, thanking those present for attending.
The memorial stone was then unveiled.
Our Association then recounted the history of this mission on the night of 16th to 17th April 1943 and the fate of each of the crew members. The names of the many courageous families from the surrounding towns and villages who helped the five escaped airmen by sheltering them and escorting them on their way to freedom were recalled.
This was followed by the laying of wreaths at the foot of the memorial, the sounding of the Last Post, a minute's silence and the Canadian, British and French national anthems.
Once the ceremony was over, all those present were invited to proceed to the site of the second commemoration to pay tribute to the crew of Lancaster ND681, RAF 214 Squadron, which crashed in March 1944.