A SPECTACULAR £10m memorial to the thousands of brave aircrew who lost their lives in the Second World War is taking shape – thanks to the design skills of a North Yorkshire architect.

Richmond-based Stephen Palmer has designed a complex which pays tribute to the 55,573 airmen – many of whom were based in the North-East and North Yorkshire – who died while serving with Bomber Command.

The centrepiece is a memorial spire, made of a special weathered steel alloy, which soars 31.09 metres into the sky -10 metres higher than the Angel of the North – and is the tallest war memorial in the UK.

The Northern Echo: FROM AFAR: The memorial spire dominates the skyline.
FROM AFAR: The memorial spire dominates the skyline

The height of the spire is the same as that of the wingspan of the Avro Lancaster bomber - and the width at the base is five metres, the overall width of a Lancaster wing.

The memorial walls, also made of the same special steel, are engraved with the names of all Bomber Command aircrew who died in the conflict. A peace garden, an exhibition about the conflict and research space, is also part of the project.

The International Bomber Command Centre is bring created in Lincoln as the county it stands in was home to more than a third of all the wartime bomber stations.

Mr Palmer, who runs Place Architecture with offices in Aske Hall Stables, near Richmond, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this unique and important memorial. I grew up in Lincoln near to RAF Scampton and Waddington and have always felt a connection with Bomber Command.

“The contribution made by these crews, so many of whom did not return home to their loved ones, cannot be overstated.

“I’m very proud to be part of this unique and internationally significant project which Place Architecture was appointed to design and manage.”

The IBCC is being created as a point of recognition, remembrance and reconciliation and is part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

There were 83 Bomber Command stations during the Second World War. Eleven of them were in the North-East and North Yorkshire, including Middleton St George, Croft, Leeming, Topcliffe, Dishforth and Skipton-on-Swale.

The memorial designed by Mr Palmer also has international significance as crews from any other nations, including Australia, the United States, India, Norway and Poland flew with Bomber Command during the war.

While construction of the IBCC complex is still underway, the memorial is not open to the general public but tours can be arranged in advance. Go to www.internationalbcc.co.uk/events.