Bristol Junior Chamber February Monthly Meeting 04.02.14 18.00 for 18.

8.30 Engineers House, The Promenade Notes prepared by Alice Peacock, Honorary Secretary
Attendees - Robert Ansell, Lizzie Archer, Rachel Arkle, Robert Barnes, Lucy Bartlett, Navina Bartlett, Georgina Baxter, Ben Bilsland, David Bird, Karl Brown, Oliver Brown, Maria Burgess, Charles Chami, Edward Chapman, Domini Choudhury, Mel Clarke, Jemma Corbett, Lara Cron, Claire Davies, Chris Dowling, Andrew Evans, Toby Fisher, Rebecca Gibbs, Andy Grey, Matthew Halstead, Michael Holder, Darren Jones, Alastair Kimpton, Mark Langmead, Gareth Mason, Georgina McFarlane-Watts, Leon Musmann, Robert Nye, Gemma-Jane Ogden, Alice Peacock, Lauren Preedy, Ben Proctor, Heather Rees, Zifa Sadriyeva, Toby Sawday, Tom Selway, Zoe Sheppard, Ben Silvey, Steve Smith, Chloe Spalding, Andie Spragg, Nicole Spurling, Kirsty Swan, Sophia Tanner, Georgina Tibbs, David Tingay, Jonathan Williams 52 members Guests - Mr Bob Durie, Mrs Jo Durie, Alexa Charles, David Veale, Rob Holloway, Mr Kimpton, Laura Thyer, Mr Corbett, Tom Thorpe, J. Bloggs, Jos Burkill, Samantha Mant, Paul Anslow, Ed Dench, Mr Baxter, Mrs Baxter, Alex Rucker 18 guests Apologies Received n/a. Donations on the night Thanks to all members, 160.29 has been donated to the 617 Squadron fund from donations received on the night. In addition to this guests were charged 5 towards the event on arrival as communicated in advance, this money has gone towards covering the evenings running costs. --------------Welcome from BJC President Tom Selway Lt Col Ben Tompkins and Johnny Johnson. Lt Col Tompkins; introduction. Lt Col Tomkins - What the army and the reservists do, the Military Intern Leadership Scheme (MILS) designed for graduates in civilian business with an interest in developing leadership skills. Johnny Johnson Asked to join a crew with Americans unsure about this team. Finishing first tour of operations as a team, with plans to get engaged and enjoy leave. Decided to join for one extra mission 27th March was told no leave, no wedding. But managed to secure leave for this. Most significant difference of this operation was 100ft high, rather than 10-20,000ft. We had no idea about what the target would be, until the final briefing. In the lead up to the operation - security was at its highest point. The bomb weighed 9,000lbs of which 2/3 was explosives. The height of 60ft was ensured by the navigator, engineer and the bomber pilots were being told by 3 men how to fly the aircraft. Final briefing and setting off was filled with set backs and difficulties, and on the 10th run they were down to 30ft. Estimation that the water went up to 1,000ft and some of the water ended up in the turret, thinking the gunner would be drowned. First dam Estimation of 6 bombs to crack it and the water pressure would do the rest. 19 aircraft set out and 8 didnt come back - of those only 3 crews escaped.

Questions invited from guests; Question One How was the war overall, was it fun?

The team did seem to gel, my pilot and I became very close friends with some sort of telepathy between us we were very close friends until he passed away in 1996. Still in touch with his son.

Question Two How did you mentally make peace with yourself that you were putting your life at risk? o I had confidence in Joe the pilot I knew and my wife knew wed come back.

Question Three When did the significance hit of what youd achieved? o Front page newspapers made it very real, the majority of crews were there to do the job to the best of their ability and would concentrate on that job until it was done. 55,000 aircrew killed, the sense of loss is huge but what they gave in taking the war to Germany is something that needs to be said.

Question Four What were the qualities that Guy Gibson had? o My opinion of Guy Gibson Known as the Archbastard, typical of Gibson to get his own way and push for items of significance. He made the first attack and assessed defences at the same time he made the attack, he called each aircraft in and flew alongside them doing it together. Essence of good leadership.

Tom Selway My father, in 1958, was in the army based in Berlin. He took 30 shouldiers on adventurous training around the Mona dam and one evening asked a pub if his soldiers could sleep in the barn out back. The landlord had been a anti aircraft gunner at the dam firing at the Dambusters and immediately welcomed them with open arms, not letting them pay for beer, food or lodging. He said he had been in awe of the Dambusters bravery that night. What was your experience? o The Germans tolerated the war, had they tried otherwise they would have got into trouble. At the age of 10 all children had to join Hitler Youth and at 16 they had to become Cadets. One evening he was on duty and the low flying aircraft that came towards him was shot down. The interpreter we were with encouraged the man to show Johnny his medal, I told him to not be ashamed you get the medal for doing the job you were supposed to do. 617 Squadron Association Donations will be taken following the meeting.

Thanks to Colonel Ben Tomkins, Johnny and Engineers House, a fantastic and fitting venue.

Move to the General Meeting chaired by Tom Selway. Karl Brown Vice-President Exchange programme with counterparts in Hannover, second May bank holiday weekend. Please send an email if interested. Please attend promotion event at the Clifton Club on 12th March. 08.15am Thursday morning on Bristol Community Radio interview. Michael Holder Business & Enterprise Thank you to all those who came to the Investment Seminar, the slides will be sent round shortly. Thanks to those members who spoke. A great opportunity to learn about Georgina Baxter - Education & Skills School Interviews (Merchants Academy tomorrow), 2 more volunteers please see Ed Chapman. Gareth Mason - Heritage & Culture Forthcoming activities coming up. Darren Jones Policy & Influence Presidents Dinner and Police Dinner are closed. Parliament trip also closed. Chinese New Year Dinner will be on Wednesday, 6 people signed up 4 more to come. 40. Email round.

Rob Nye - Treasurer Nothing to report. Gemma-Jane Ogden - Marketing Thank you for everyone doing articles for Bugle, keep monitoring on Facebook on Twitter. Mark Langmead Events Annual Dinner, 22nd March. Savita is taking bookings. Sponsorship. Alice Peacock Honorary Secretary Members email tomorrow/Thursday. Oliver Brown - Investment Forum Nothing to report. Rob Barnes Membership New members next month. Tom Selway AGM positions to be circulated also. Thank you everyone for attending.

-Meeting adjourned 20.00-