100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum is pleased to announce that they have won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Trustees and volunteers at the Norfolk museum, based just outside Diss, were surprised and delighted to have discovered that they had been nominated and won the highest award for voluntary services in the UK. Announced to coincide with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on 2nd June 2022, 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal. Up to two representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party.

Organisations to receive the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services must be made up of at least three people and led by volunteers, not staff. Groups must have been running for at least three years and provide a specific and direct benefit to their local communities. Local assessors research and visit nominated groups before writing a report on their suitability. Local assessment panels then decide which ones to put forward to the National Assessment Committee. The committee considers the nominations and agrees a shortlist for approval by the Queen.

Debra Hubbard, Chairman of Trustees says; “It's hard to put into words how proud and honoured we feel to receive the QAVS. For over 45 years the museum has had volunteers from all walks of life, each one has contributed to what you can see today. We often use two words when we describe our volunteers and those are commitment and dedication. Our volunteers are a very special bunch of people, some have been here from the start, others for a few weeks, they range from age 13 to 87! But regardless of age or background they all work tirelessly to give our visitors the warmest welcome they can and preserve the history of the boys and men of 100th Bomb Group.”

Ronald Batley, Curator, and volunteer for 45 years says; “Having been involved with the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum since its inception in 1977, I have seen the organisation grow and flourish over 45 years. To be awarded the highest honour for voluntary services in the UK is astounding, and a validation of the many years of enthusiasm and devotion that our volunteers give to preserve the memory of the 100th Bomb Group.”

From Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways in which fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen's Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including: a rural support group for farmers in Shropshire; a community magazine addressing isolation in the Western Isles; a running club engaging all ages in County Tyrone; a film academy and community hub based in South Wales, and a food bank in Greater London feeding vulnerable individuals and providing training opportunities.

More info here: https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/

About 100th Bomb Group 

Thorpe Abbotts, Station 139, became home for hundreds of young American men from 1943-1945. The short stay of the 'friendly invasion' radically changed the physical landscape of East Anglia as well as shaking up the sleepy surrounding villages. Unlike the British who undertook bombing missions during the cover of darkness, the American bomber groups engaged in daylight attacks deep into German territory which put them at great risk. The 100th Bomb Group gained the nickname 'the Bloody Hundredth' due to the heavy losses experienced by the group during the war. On their first mission alone the 100th Bomb Group lost three planes and thirty men. 

Following the closure of the airfield in 1956, the tower and other buildings fell into disrepair until in 1977 local man Mike Harvey and several local volunteers started making enquiries about the possibility of restoring the old control tower as a living memorial to American personnel who served at the base during World War Two.

The Landowner Sir Rupert Mann, whose family had owned the land during the war, was approached and following a satisfactory survey of the building, a 999-year lease was negotiated for a small area in the North-East corner of the old airfield which included the tower.

When volunteers began restoring the dilapidated 100th Bomb Group control tower they were faced with a massive task, including clearing the debris from several years of pigs living in the tower during the 1950s-1960s.

Four years later the fruits of their labours were rewarded when on 25th May 1981 Major Horace Varian (former Group Adjutant) unveiled a plaque on completion of the tower restoration in the presence of many veterans from the USA as well as many local people.

Today the museum is a moving testament to the Americans, who in the pursuit of peace, came to Thorpe Abbotts in Norfolk to fight alongside the allies during World War Two

About the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum

100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum is dedicated to preserving the stories and memories of the American involvement in World War Two based at RAF Thorpe Abbotts. Our displays housed in the original control tower and surrounding atmospheric buildings focus on the key figures of the 100th Bomb Group and tell tales of heroics, heartache and humour. Our collection includes archival photographs, an extensive bomber jacket collection, mechanical equipment, safety equipment, as well as objects found on base and personal items of those associated with the 100th Bomb Group which tell individual stories.

Free Entry

Open weekends and bank holidays from March – October 10am-5pm. 

Additional opening Wednesdays from May – September 10am-5pm.

Last admission 4pm.

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100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum,

Common Rd,

Dickleburgh,

Diss,

IP21 4PH

Phone: 01379 740708

www.100bgmus.org.uk

For more information please contact info@100bgmus.org.uk or s.towne100thbg@outlook.com

Facebook: @100bgmus

Twitter: @100bgmus