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 No.
630 Squadron was formed on 15th November 1943, at East
Kirkby (codename Silksheen), near Spilsby,
Lincolnshire
, and remained based there throughout its existence. Equipped with
Lancasters
, it formed part of No. 5 Group and between 18/19th November 1943 and
25th April 1945, took part in many major raids, including each of the 16
big raids made by Bomber Command on the German capital during what
became known as the "Battle of Berlin".
I lie here, still, beside the hill
Abandoned long to Nature’s will.
My buildings down.
My people gone.
My only bounds, the wild bird’s
song.
 But my mighty birds will rise no
more.
No more I hear the Merlins roar.
And never now my bosom feels
The pounding of their giant
wheels.
From the ageless hill their voices
cast
Thunderous echoes of the past.
And still in lonely reverie
Their great dark wings sweep down
on me.
Laughter, sorrow, hope and pain,
I shall never know these things
again.
Emotions that I came to know
Of strange young men so long ago.
Who knows as evening shadows meet
Are they with me still, a phantom
fleet?
And do my ghosts still stride
unseen
Across my face so wide and green?
 And in the future should
structures tall
Bury me beyond recall
I shall still remember them,
My metal birds, and long-dead men.
Now weeds grow high, obscure the
sky.
O remember me when you pass by.
For beneath this tangled, leafy
screen
I was your home, your friend “Silksheen”.
The
poem contributed by Freda Carnell
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