Paul remembers the Dambusters

Paul Masson Funeral Director with his window dsiplay marking 70 years of RAFA. Pic Steve Robards

Seventy years ago this year, the RAF mounted a daring raid on Germany’s industrial heartland in the Ruhr Valley. The bouncing bomb, invented by Barnes Wallis, a former pupil of Christ’s Hospital in Horsham, breached two damns and caused extensive flooding.

Eight of the original 19 Lancaster bombers were damaged or shot down in remarkable feat of bravery by young RAF pilots led by 24 year-old Wing Commander Guy Gibson.

To mark the anniversary, Mr Masson, a former member of the Royal Tank Regiment, mounted a display in his window in Queen’s Road, featuring old photographs and models of Lancaster bombers, a Hurricane and a Spitfire assembled from kits and painted by Brian Meadows from Burgess Hill.

Paul’s RAF and Dambusters’ theme attracted many positive comments from passers-by and next year, his window display could be even bigger.

Paul said: “In 2014, it’s the 350th anniversary of the Royal Marines and the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War so I may have to have a split window.

“Last year, we made a poppy field using synthetic grass and one person liked the display so much he gave us £60.

“All the money goes to the Poppy Appeal, which is becoming more relevant because of the conflict in Afghanistan.”