News (2017)

Memorial for Jack unveiled

September 29th, 2017

Jack Hammerton Memorial

As part of its Local RAF Memorials Project, which seeks to pay tribute to ‘The Few’ who lost their lives within a 10 mile radius of the Shoreham Aircraft Museum, a stone memorial was unveiled on 23rd September 2017 to honour Sergeant Pilot Jack Hammerton of 615 ‘County of Surrey’ Squadron. He lost his life on 6th November 1940, when his Hawker Hurricane crashed at Noah’s Ark, near Kemsing in Kent. The dedication service concluded with a tribute flypast by the Hurricane from the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar flown by Clive Denney.

Jack Hammerton Memorial

An 'Eggscellent' start to the season

April 24th, 2017

The Easter weekend saw several veterans visit Shoreham to help launch the Museum 2017 season in wonderful style.

Flight Lieutenant ‘Bob’ Hughes DFC

On Saturday 15th April, Flight Lieutenant 'Bob' Hughes DFC, made a return visit to Shoreham after nearly 30 years. He attended the opening of the Museum in 1988 and was delighted to be back where once again he proved to be a popular visitor. Bob served as an air-gunner with the night-fighter Blenheims of 23 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He later went on to complete 2 operational tours on bombers and earned a well deserved DFC.

Squadron Leader 'Johnny' Johnson DFM

On Easter Sunday, Shoreham was privileged to welcome on his first visit to the Museum, the last surviving British 617 Squadron ‘Dambuster’ veteran, Squadron Leader ‘Johnny’ Johnson DFM. He was the bomb aimer with Lancaster ‘T for Tommy’, which attacked the Sorpe Dam. Johnny went on to enjoy a long and distinguished RAF career.

Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC & Bar

On Easter Monday, the well known Battle of Britain and Malta Hurricane ‘ace’, Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC & Bar, (a Shoreham ‘regular’), kindly attended to meet and greet many visitors and sell a good pile of his varied and splendid books.


That rounded off a superb holiday weekend and greatest thanks goes to Bob, Johnny and Tom for coming to Shoreham with additional appreciation extended to their family members and friends who carried out ‘taxi duties’. A thank you too for Museum and Tearoom volunteers for helping to keep ‘control’ and ensuring the teas and cakes kept flowing! Lastly a thank you to all Museum Friends, supporters and visitors for supporting the events by coming to meet our veteran heroes and helping to raise much needed funds for Museum projects.

Ron Liversage MBE (Mil) – Bomber Boy

March 28th, 2017

It is with much sadness that the Museum recently learnt of the passing of Ron Liversage MBE (Mil) who served as an air-gunner in RAF Bomber Command during WW2. Ron first visited Shoreham in the summer of 2012 and he then became a regular visitor supporting many fund-raising events at the Museum in aid of the Bomber Command Memorial Maintenance Fund.

Ron Liversage MBE (Mil)

Ron was a wonderful character who was both a very proud Scouser and proud of his long RAF service that included flying in Vickers Wellingtons from the besieged island of Malta and with the Desert Air Force in North Africa. He later flew operationally in Europe with the Avro Lancasters of 625 Squadron and his signature adorns the Museum’s Lancaster propeller blade. He remained in the RAF post-war and in 1964 was awarded a well deserved MBE (Military) before he retired in 1971.

It was a privilege for Shoreham to have Ron as a Friend and he will not be forgotten.