The brethren of Old Huttonian Lodge No 7614, part of the Chorley and Leyland Group, along with their visitors received a wartime masterclass at their first regular meeting of 2024. The topic of this educational lecture was focused around the 617 Dambuster Squadron and expertly delivered by Glen Jackson of the North Fylde Group.
Over many years, Glen has developed and delivered fascinating lectures relating to wartime Britain and in particular the activities of The Royal Air Force. The lodge business was efficiently carried out in the main school hall by the master of the lodge Damien McKeand, and then at the appropriate moment Glen Jackson was escorted to the lectern by Ian Heyes, director of ceremonies.
Glen started his presentation by asking those in attendance: “Who has a relative, a nephew or son of a friend aged 24? Picture him in your minds now, that was the age of Guy Penrose Gibson when he took command of 617 as a wing commander in March 1943. He had already flown 150 or so missions, when contemporaries didn’t expect him to survive one tour of 30. That is the equivalent of 5 tours, quite remarkable. He was a martinet and only had time for commissioned officers.”
The only connection with Freemasonry that was identified by Glen was Dingy Young, aged just 22, who sadly did not survive long enough to progress in Masonry. Glen continued by describing the construction of the main workhorse of the RAF, that of the Lancaster bomber, fitted with 4 Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. There were 7,300 built and today there is only one flying at RAF Coningsby and another in Canada. They were assembled at Woodford near Wilmslow, to the south of Manchester.
Glen outlined Operation Chastise, the raid itself on 16 May 1943, and how the bombs, following their delivery from the Royal Ordnance Factory in Chorley, were attached to the Lancaster bombers, creating a take-off weight of 16 tons per aircraft. He spoke about the particular aircraft and the experiences of each crew, in particular Les Knight who at 21 years of age could not drive a car but had the ability to fly the Lancaster skilfully. The last bomb was released by his crew at 01:52 and the ordnance breached the Sorpe Dam. They arrived back safely at 04:20.
Following the presentation, Glen received a rapturous applause and the grateful thanks of the lodge master Damien McKeand. During the splendid festive board, Glen further explained a number of his valuable framed pictures, which feature the signed names of members of 617 Squadron who took part in Operation Chastise.
