Morning:
6°c
Royal favourite to create new memorial
Evening Standard6 Apr 2009
A DESIGNER favoured by Prince Charles will create the long-awaited Bomber Command Memorial in central London.
Liam O'Connor, who designed the Commonwealth Memorial Gates at Hyde Park Corner, beat competition from Lord Foster, among others, to win the commission.
He said: "This is a major design challenge as the monument will not only commemorate those who died serving their country, but will act as a new landmark set in the heart of the capital."
Reader views (4)
good news!
many thanks from AVOE to Liam O'Connor
www.avoe.org
- Donatella Diolaiti, bologna, Italy, 15/04/2009 12:14
Report abuse
About time!!!!!! The style, designer, design and position, as important as they are, become miniscule when weighed against the utter contempt exhibited by the powers that be in delaying this honor for over half a century. Was the idea to wait long enough until most survivors have died then hope the demand would go away?
To me it's another example of the lost character of England - it started back in the fifties and has grown enormously since until the country we of Bomber Command fought for no longer exists. Perhaps, and hopefully, this memorial will, with the proper dedication, arouse some sense of patriotic verve in sections of the population but, I fear, the cause is lost and the England we fought for has ceased to be. I just hope and pray that there will not be a repeat of scenes like those surrounding the dedication of the "Bomber" Harris memorial, either in England or Germany. I was in Cologne at that time and it was utterly disgusting to witness so many "Brits" decrying the so-called "terror-bombing" of the Reich.
- Alan Freeman, Venice, Florida, USA, 07/04/2009 08:33
Report abuse
Whilst no one would deny the huge personal courage and sacrifice of the brave young men involved; the mass, indiscriminate bombing of German cities in the second world war was both morally and militarily highly dubious. In Germany, our bombing campaign is still regarded as a war crime and I for one am slightly ashamed of it. If it must be further commemorated, and I'm unclear why, then I hope that this does not seek to glorify our actions by ignoring their moral aspect.
Oh and before the abuse starts, I am not some pacifist lefty but a military historian who has researched the subject in some depth in forming my opinion
- David, London, 06/04/2009 17:49
Report abuse
Excellent news. Long overdue. I hope they do a good job fully befitting a very brave service to which we all owe our freedom.
- Thomas, London, 06/04/2009 13:58
Report abuse
