by Stella Bowen

roup portrait: Bomber Command, 460 Squadron RAAF; back row 1-r: Sergeant D G Champkin, flight engineer; Pilot Officer Thomas Lynch, rear gunner; Flying Officer Hector Harrison, wireless operator; Flying Officer Ronald Neal, mid upper gunner; front row 1-r: Flying Officer Marmion Carroll, navigator; Squadron Leader Eric Jarman, pilot; Flying Officer Francis Jackson, bomb aimer. They are shown wearing their full flying gear including inflatable life jackets ('Mae West'), flying helmets and headphones. Their Avro Lancaster bomber, is seen parked in the background seen above their heads, like a monster bird of prey. The names of the crew appear appear on their flying helmets and are repeated on the wreath-like ribbon that scrolls across the canvas, complete with their RAAF wings floating like cherubs. Bowen was stationed at the Royal Air Force station at Binbrook in Lincolnshire, where No. 460 Squadron was based. This was the most highly decorated Australian squadron in Bomber Command and suffered the highest casualties.