WORLD War Two memorabilia - including items with connections to the famous Dambusters - are to be sold to raise much-needed funds for a church.

Frank Lomas, from Ravenstown, near Flookburgh, is putting his impressive collection of historic memorabilia up for sale to support repairs of Flookburgh Church clock.

The clock itself is a war memorial and holds great significance for the local community.

The cost of the repairs is expected to exceed £5,000.

Mr Lomas, 86, boasts a varied collection of items from the Second World War which include dozens of regimental patches from various regiments, several model planes including Lancaster Bombers and the Spitfire and two artefacts from post-war Germany.

He is also in possession of a card containing the signature of Dr Malcolm Arthurton who served as the medical officer for the iconic No 617 Squadron, also known as the Dambusters.  

Serving in the army between 1957 and 1963, Mr Lomas developed a great interest in historical items of the time period and keeps many of them to this day.

He hopes the items can offer both a historical significance for collectors and help support the church repairs.

He said: “A few years ago on my birthday I used to go dancing a lot and invite people to give donations rather than presents for the church.

“I’m 86 now so can’t dance as much.

“But I hope these items can help give something toward the cost of the clock.

“I did my national service in Germany with the Border Regiment from Carlisle.

“I’ve collected a lot of items over the years but I was going through a box when I found this Dambusters Blazer Badge card. I took it out and saw some writing on the back.

“It belonged to Malcolm Arthurton of 607 Squadron.

“He was the medical officer for the Dambusters and he’d signed this card.”

The Dambusters mission, also known as Operation Chastise, was a raid by 617 Squad on May 16, 1943 to destroy the Möhne and Edersee dams, using specially designed bouncing bombs.

The mission resulted in a halt of German production in the area until September that year - but at the cost of eight RAF aircraft.

Mr Lomas said: “I’ve got a lot of items, including a lot of patches from various regiments like the Royal Engineers, the Free French and the WW1 machine gun company.

“I also have the old British Armed Forces currency notes that you had to use in Germany.

“I think these items can be of great interest to collectors and I’m open to selling them if it gives something to the church.”

To get in touch about the items please call Frank on 015396 58997. 

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