TWO Second World War veterans from South Ockendon have joined a campaign to get a national memorial for the tens of thousands of airmen from RAF Bomber Command who died fighting over Germany.

Lawrence Godfrey, 84, of Orchard Road and Jim McGillivray, 82, from South Road are campaigning to get the bravery of their fallen comrades recognised along with their friend Harry Irons, 84, from Romford, who was also in Bomber Command.

Of the total 125,000 aircrew from Bomber Command 55,500 were killed, and 8,403 were injured.

These men were all volunteers who did not even receive a campaign medal from the government.

Mr Godfrey, who was a wireless operator on Halifaxes, says this is because of the controversial Dresden Bombings on February 13 1945.

Bomber Command were ordered to bomb the German town after Churchill received a request from the Russians but were later condemned for it.

Mr Godfrey said: "The government treated us like murderers after Dresden, but it wasn't the crews' fault we were told to go and raid these places.

"We had our orders, the government shouldn't have put us down over that at all."

Speaking about what it would mean to get a national memorial he added: "It really would mean a lot, all those who were killed should be remembered, their family should have a place to mourn them and people should have somewhere to go and show respect.

"A lot of people don't know anything about Bomber Command, so we've decided to try and bring it to their attention."

The Bomber Command Association are working with the Heritage Foundation, who commission memorials to famous Britons, to lobby the government to provide the estimated £2 million for a memorial in London.

If you would like to make a donation to the Bomber Command Association, please send it to Bomber Command Memorial Fund, The Bomber Command Association, Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL.

Alternatively you can email here.