Lancaster JB603 Take it Easy

From my earliest days I can remember my Father taking us to summer airshows, the highlight was always the Lancaster. From what age did I become aware of why it was so special to him, I cannot recall, how was it part of his life ? This picture remained tucked away in a cupboard and the story that I never knew has consumed my interest ever since he passed away in 1998.

The picture is of Lancaster JB603 E-Easy, taken on a sunny day in September 1944 at RAF Grimsby, known to all as Waltham, she sits at her dispersal with her proud Groundcrew and various Aircrew, including Pilots Dick Lee, seen in the cockpit, and Taffy Harris, middle of the three on the port inner engine. My father, Leading Aircraftsman Roy Eastell Kurn, part of Easy’s groundcrew, stands on the trestle with his hand on the propeller.

From this one picture my search would begin, the search for what my Father did during the war, the aircrews that he would have known, a Lancaster that would complete over 100 operations, relatives of those who paid the price for our freedom and would never live to see their children again. New friends would be made and a lasting bond between my brothers and the people of Gorssel, ultimately it would lead to meeting with the one person that could fill in the missing details of her final flight.