Two Colins
Two Colins
A month ago, Geordie and I were in London for an RAF memorial service. It was a stiflingly hot day but no one was complaining. Colin Bell walked across to lay a wreath at the feet of the memorial in Green Park which was open to the sky through a high ceiling window. The service was to remember the 55,000 young men in Bomber Command who did not return home after the Second World War and to say thank you for their undone years.
Colin is 104 years old, an age of which he is rightly proud. He flew Mosquitos during the war, escorting bombers such as the Lancasters as they set off at all times of the day and night during the final years leading up to 1945.
Above all, he is conscious that he is one of the few still standing to fly the flag for the old guard. As such, Colin is determined to remind all those lucky enough to meet him of what we owe and to not be careless of what we have been given. He and we are the lucky ones and, sharing lunches together, we have taken pleasure in enjoying good food and wine - we still can.
When I asked Colin if he would be my guest for the Weekend to Remember he said yes before I could even finish inviting him. Colin is always interesting and fun yet underneath it all is something more emotional which involves both the past and the present. I hope he will enjoy the whole weekend and I know you will enjoy meeting him.
Colin joined the Royal Air Force towards the end of 1940. His flying training was carried out in the USA although this was of course before the attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941. He was retained by the American Army Air Corps as an advanced single engine flying instructor responsible for training both American and British Cadets. He returned to the UK in 1943, converted to twin engine Mosquito Bombers and joined 608 Squadron (Pathfinder Group). Eighteen months later he was transferred to ferry duties bringing back newly built Mosquitos from Canada to the UK with stop-offs at Goose Bay, Labrador, Bluey West 1 (on the West coast of Greenland), Reykjavik in Iceland, and finally into Prestwick in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Interestingly, the Mosquito was designed and built by aircraft pioneer Geoffrey de Havilland who made his first flight from Highclere in 1910. I have paired Colin with friends of mine who used to fly Concord and I think it will be fascinating to hear them in conversation with each other.
As the whole weekend is about saying thank you and raising money for those who serve and save today, I have some photographs of Mosquito planes which they have agreed to sign - a fun way to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, one of the charities here.
He is not the only Colin who is joining us. Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackeray is a British Korean War veteran who served in the Royal Artillery. Interestingly, post war, he sang in a number of church choirs before winning Britain’s Got Talent five years ago at the age of 89. He will be helping to lead the singing during the weekend and is just one of the heroes who are guests of honour at our event.
Too often, I wake up in the middle of the night wondering why I decided to do this. As a world, however, we have now have marked 80 years since both VE Day and VJ Day in our calendars. I then remember all those unsung heroes like the two Colins and, all those men and women who still give so much today to keep us all safe. I am grateful that Highclere is a much loved home that can bring such thought and thanks together. I hope is you can you will say yes too and join both 'Colins' here.
41 Comments
Is it just me, or do these pilots in their pictures ALWAYS look so VERY handsome, like old movie stars? Every single one of these brave pilots had a life, a story, a family
who loved them.
They did!
What a wonderful tribute to Colin Bell and Colin Thackeray. They, both, are amazing individuals that deserve the continuing honours they are given. It's very impressive. Thanks to you for welcoming them to Highclere.
Richard
Fantastic piece! Bravo
Thank you
There is ALWAYS time for a walk back in history, for the people who earned it, and for us to learn from it, Don't you agree?
Have a great day, and thanks for dropping by.
All the Best,
John Roberts
Tonawanda, N.Y. USA
We seem to press repeat!
God Bless you for honoring the two Colins and all those men and women. Coming from a military family with history back to the Civil War, WWII, Vietnam, Afghanistan for my son who continues to serve as a Colonel in the Air Force. It always warms my heart to see folks will never forget. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you, we will continue to remember and celebrate them
Impressive Monday Morning Blog again especially regarding a well 104 year old.
enjoy & good luck with your Reminder Weekend and him attending!
Thank you
What an incredible story and wonderful reminder of the freedom we experience today came with a price. And as your Prime Minister Winston Churchill said "Never was so much owed by so many to so few", is so true.
A truly wonderful article, everyone should be reminded of their heroism. I had two uncles who were in the British Navy .
What a lovely tribute to the inspiring men who's missions were so bravely and valiantly carried out. Such a lovely event - blessings! Thank you for sharing.
you are kind
We must never forget the brave sacrifice these soldiers made to protect our freedom. Their selfless acts should never be forgotten. They are our heroes.
They are the heroes ..and there are those who are heroes today
What a fabulous story. I am particularly pleased with your mention of the de Havilland aircraft that served in the Second war. I have a great love of these aircraft and
am so pleased that they served in the RAF. Too many people have a limited view of the contribution Canada made during the war.
Thank you
Robert Douch
Vancouver, Canada
A Canadian battalion was stationed here in the Park at Highclere
Thank you. This was very inspiring and thought provoking. For those of us old enough to have had fathers and uncles who fought to retain the freedom we now enjoy, this was especially meaningful. It also saddens me c that these freedoms seem to be under attack here in the United States. I hope enough of us across the pond take your story to heart. My best to, Richard von Ernst.
As an American, I’m feeling honored to be attending your Weekend to Remember at Highclere. Thank you for sharing the background of each of these brave Colins you’ve invited to join. It’s much more meaningful to learn this way than to read facts in a textbook.
Look forward to seeing you
What a very special man. My eldest cousin's first husband died in a Lancaster in 1942 just a year after their wedding, I remember him very well as they were married from my parents' home and I thought the world of him. I still cry for him and tears stream down my face whenever I see a programme about Bomber commend and the Lancaster. RIP my Andy. ver
I am so sorry to hear that, We will remember them
Absolutely a wonderful spot-on tribute to these exceptional soldiers!
Another happy read and to a wonderful mam and comrades
An emotional past and reminder to us all, Paying tribute to all the brave heroes of men and women who fought courageous for our freemdom. I imagine the heartfelt and interesting stories of Colin Bell and Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackeray must have shared as a quest with you Lady Carnarvon at Highclere. Thank you for this tribute today
you are kind
IF ONLY!! The stars did not align for us to attend. Thank goodness Air Canada is back on so we will be coming but sadly not for this amazing weekend you have planned.
What a wonderful event to support the service! How can we help?
How kind of you to even ask!
I think the events you plan to honor your veterans is wonderful. Are there any women who served in WWii still with us?
Lady Carnarvon,
The two Colins have lived through so much history and lived to stay in love with their country. Thank you for sharing their rugged histories with your readers and bringing another story of Britain’s storied past.
Martha G
Thank you
Thank you for participating in honoring Colin Bell ! There are very few left. Donald McPherson, believed to be America's last surviving “ace” from World War II, passed away on August 14, 2025
That is so sad .. I think they would all remind us to live
How wonderful. What an interesting man he must be. Have a great weekend with him.
Thank you for honoring these wonderful men.
Heroes are with us in memory & life.
Thank you for this piece of history and congratulations on Colin's beautiful age. Thanks to both Colins.
What an inspiring tribute to both Colins. Whenever I see someone in a military uniform, I say to them, "Thank you for your service to our country." Sherrill, USA
That is lovely, it is so important to celebrate and remember them
What a wonderful story!! These are inspirational heroes!!
I am sure it will be a fantastic weekend honoring these hero’s.
Thank you for sharing their stories!
Our Heroes! God bless them and thank you for recognizing their wonderful contribution and of course thanks without end to them.
Thank you again, Dear Lady Carnarvon. It is very important that you do commemorative (and charitable) events like these. We all need to remember and honor— and there will be young people at your event, no doubt, who have come with parents and their elders. They will learn about the sacrifices these heroes made and about those being made even today. It’s important that we don’t lose our history. Thank you. Blessings on you and Lord Carnarvon.
Suzanne from Georgia, U.S.
you are kind
Dear Lady Canavaron,
We own everyting to the very brave men and women in
who fought for us during the Second World War.
It is so very good that you organize a rembrance at your estate to honor 'the last man' standing and we never, ever forget so we would never forget.
and truly special that the last remaining pilots were at yout table.
you are kind
I started my working life teaching history. Thank you for what you are doing to make this very important piece of history come alive. In these two men you have people who lived through it all. Thank you also for your support of the Dame Vera Lynn Memorial Statue. I grew up in East Ham and she was our local hero.
thank you
Lady Carnarvon, than you for a lovely blog and also for your efforts to honor these military heroes.
I wait to see your photos of this illustrious event. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Hello from Victoria British Columbia, Canada. My dear friend Major Murray Campbell Edwards followed a similar path to your friends, the two Colins. Murray was born in Duxford England but at age six moved to the US and grew up in New Jersey. He did not qualify to join the US Army during WW2 so enlisted in the Canadian Army in Nova Scotia. After training he was posted to Aldershot. He was quickly chosen to be an instructor and spent the remainder of the war there. He later fought in Korea and had a significant role in the Battle of Kapyong. He always felt that Cambridgeshire was his home and last year I was able to visit there along with spending a wonderful day at Highclere ! Murray passed away just weeks short of his 104th Birthday. Like the Colin’s, he was a remarkable man !
what a remarkable story, he certainly was a remarkable man
What a lovely story of a remarkable man and now I need to go find the tissues. Such an amazing generation of brave men and women. Thank you for sharing and continuing to honor the fallen. We will remember them.
Dear Lady Carnavon,
"55,000 young men in Bomber Command who never came home."
Willing, steadfast men who gave up bright futures to defend their country, knowing that the odds of survival for flyers were against them. Yes, we honor them, and work all the harder to prevent future war. Thank you for your outstanding effort to commemorate them all, while keeping their lesson for our world alive.
Mary J (who lost an uncle flying in '42)
We are coming for our 30th wedding anniversary. I’m very excited to see all the history and to have the opportunity to meet the tow Colin’s!
Is this a not for profit event, and if so where will the funds be donated? Excited to support such a good cause!!
Dear Lady Carnarvon, whilst enjoying the Weekend to Remember on Saturday, we met the Chelsea Pensioner, Colin Thackeray. I remarked on his Korean War
medals and told him that my wife Anne's father had also served in Korea. It transpires that Colin and Anne's father both served in the Royal Artillery and both served
with the "Glorious Glosters". Remarkable enough until Colin asked for his name. "Ken Mousley" was the reply. Instantly, Colin said "Yes, I remember him".
It brought Anne to tears that thus could happen. It made a fabulous day into something extraordinary and memorable.
What a wonderful weekend we had at Highclere at the weekend to remember. It was so inspiring to see and meet the two Colins, the many service people , the volunteers and, of course yourselves, Lord and Lady Caernarfon. The singing of “I vow to thee my country “ was amazing, and a fitting tribute. Thankyou for allowing us to be guests of this fabulous occasion.
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My dearest Lady Fiona Carnarvon,
I hope that one day all wars will
end once and for all...
Cheers.
Good week for all.
Thank you Lady.
Imagine .. as John Lennon says..
Dear Lady, Carnarvon,
what a beautiful day I spent at Highclere Castle yesterday, the setting is just breathtaking. One big shout out to all the staff who work there very welcoming and knowledgeable.
Hope you get to wear the badge, peace, health and happiness for the future,
Christine