In Conversation with Colin Bell DFC AE
12 November 2024
We are excited to present an opportunity to hear the remarkable stories of Colin Bell, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (AE). He will be joined on stage by Bruce Crompton as they share insights into Colin’s experiences during the Second World War, flying Mosquito’s, and his life after the RAF.
This special event will support three charities chosen by Colin: The Royal Air Force Museum, Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. All proceeds from ticket sales will be divided among these worthy causes.
The talk will take place at the RAF Museum London on Tuesday 12 November. You will be able to check in to the event from 6.00pm. The talk will start at 7.00pm. Please note, that only Hangar 345 will be open for the event, this includes the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command Exhibitions (and the Mosquito).
About Colin Bell DFC AE
Colin is 103 years young! He was born in 1921 and joined the RAF towards the end of 1940. His flying training was carried out in America prior to their entry into the War in December 1941. Initially retained by the American Army Air Corp as an advanced single engine instructor responsible for training British and American cadets, Colin returned to the UK in 1943. He converted to the twin engine Mosquito Bomber and joined 608 Squadron (Pathfinder Group) based at Downham Market in Norfolk. During his tour he carried out 50 bombing raids over Germany, including 13 over Berlin.
Towards the end of the War Colin was transferred to ferry duties risking life and limb to bring much needed, newly built Mosquitos from Canada to the UK with some testing stop offs and challenging weather conditions along the way. He ended his RAF career in 1946 flying Diplomatic Mail across Europe and Africa.
About Bruce Crompton
Bruce hosts a podcast called Amazing War Stories, which honours the memories of Military Veterans by telling their stories. Many of you will know him from the TV show Combat Dealers. We are delighted that he could join us for this event.
Tickets
Admission Ticket: £20
The event will be taking place at the RAF Museum London, with the aim to raise funds for the Museum, Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity and RAF Benevolent Fund. Tickets are available to purchase by clicking the button below:
The venue
This talk will take place in the Lecture Theatre in Hangar 3 at the RAF Museum London. Please note, that only Hangar 345 will be open for the event.
The doors open at 6.00pm, the talk will commence at 7.00pm and the whole event will finish at 9.00pm.
You will have the opportunity to explore some of the Museum before and after Colin’s Talk. We will be opening Hangars 3 – 5 (our historic Hangars). This includes the opportunity to see a De Haviland Mosquito in our Bomber Command Exhibition, and to explore our Battle of Britain collection.
Travel Information
For information about planning your journey please head to our website. Parking is free from 5.00pm for those attending the event.
From Friday 7 June until end December 2024 Colindale station will be closed and trains will not be stopping at the station. Other public transport routes are available to the Museum and we advise consulting the TFL website route planner for the most up to date information.
There will be a series of part closures of the Northern line between Golders Green and Edgware on selected weekends throughout June and July. During the closures, there will be no Tube service to or from Brent Cross, Hendon Central, Colindale, Burnt Oak or Edgware stations. Northern line trains will continue to run as normal to/from Golders Green. There will be a regular service on the rest of the Northern line. During the closure, it may be quickest to catch local bus services to Jubilee line or Thameslink stations for journeys into central London. Plan your journey using the TFL website: https://tfl.gov.uk
More about Colin’s chosen charities
This special event will support three charities chosen by Colin: The Royal Air Force Museum, Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity, and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. All proceeds from ticket sales will be divided among these worthy causes.
- Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity (Registered Charity number: 1145477) Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity (SWCC) and the SWCC Hedgehog Hospital are dedicated to the protection, rehabilitation, and conservation of wildlife around the world, with a particular focus on hedgehogs.
- The Royal Air Force Museum (Registered Charity number: 1197541) The Royal Air Force Museum is a National Museum and a registered charity. Our collection is central to everything we are and do and comprises around 1.3m objects which we hold in trust for the people of the UK. We are committed to using our collections to share the story of the Royal Air Force and its people. Our vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story – the people who shape it and its place in our lives.
- Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (Registered Charity number: 1081009) For more than 100 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has been supporting members of our RAF Family through thick and thin providing practical, emotional, and financial support whenever they need us.
